A Linearized Two-Dimensional Theory for High-Speed Hydrofoils Near the Free Surface

Abstract

A linearized two-dimensional theory is presented for high-speed hydrofoils near the free surface. The "direct" problem (hydrofoil shape specified) is attacked by replacing the actual foil with vortex and source sheets. The resulting integral equation for the strength of the singularity distribution is recast into an infinite set of linear algebraic equations relating the unknown constants in a Glauert-type vorticity expansion to the boundary condition on the foil. The solution is achieved using a matrix inversion technique and it is found that the matrix relating the known and unknown constants is a function of depth of submergence alone. Inversion of this matrix at each depth allows the vorticity constants to be calculated for any arbitrary foil section by matrix multiplication. The inverted matrices have been calculated for several depth-to-chord ratios and are presented herein. Several examples for specific camber and thickness distributions are given, and results indicate significant effects in the force characteristics at depths less than one chord. In particular, thickness effects cause a loss of lift at shallow submergences which may be an appreciable percentage of the total design lift. The second part treats the "indirect" problem of designing a hydrofoil sectional shape at a given depth to achieve a specified pressure loading. Similar to the "direct" problem treated in the first part, integral equations are derived for the camber and thickness functions by replacing the actual foil by vortex and source sheets. The solution is obtained by recasting these equations into an infinite set of linear algebraic equations relating the constants in a series expansion of the foil geometry to the known pressure boundary conditions. The matrix relating the known and unknown constants is, again, a function of the depth of submergence alone, and inversion techniques allow the sectional shape to be determined for arbitrary design pressure distributions. Several examples indicate the procedure and results are presented for the change in sectional shape for a given pressure loading as the depth of submergence of the foil is decreased.