A Second-Order Theory for the Potential Flow About Thin Hydrofoils

Abstract

This research addresses the potential flow about a thin two-dimensional hydrofoil moving with constant velocity at a fixed depth beneath a free surface. The thickness-to-chord ratio of the hydrofoil and disturbances to the free stream are assumed to be small. These small perturbation assumptions are used to produce first-and second-order subproblems structured to provide consistent approximations to boundary conditions on the body and the free surface. Nonlinear corrections to the free-surface boundary condition are included at second order. Each subproblem is solved by a distribution of sources and vortices on the chord line and doublets on the free surface. After analytic determination of source and doublet strengths, a singular integral equation for the vortex strength is derived. This integral equation is reduced to a Fredholm integral equation which is solved numerically. Lift, wave drag, and free-surface shape are calculated for a flat plate and a Joukowski hydrofoil. The importance of free-surface effects relative to body effects is examined by a parametric variation of Froude number and depth of submergence.