Evolutions of hydrodynamic and electromagnetic wakes induced by underwater vehicles

Abstract

The electromagnetic wake induced by the movement of stratified conductive seawater in the presence of the geomagnetic ambiance contains vital information for non-acoustic detection. However, the intricate mechanism among hydrodynamics, ions transports, and vortex evolution has not been systematically explored, which synergistically generate the electromagnetic wake. In this context, an interdisciplinary model involving continuity, momentum, heat and mass transfer, and Maxwell's equations is constructed by the ANSYS Fluent software to address the evolution of wake characteristics behind a full-scale submarine-propeller vehicle. The instantaneous visualizations including velocity distributions, vortex interactions, electromagnetic signatures, and vortex dynamics during downstream evolution are reproduced by the high-fidelity numerical simulations. Tip vortex pairing in the circumferential direction and secondary vortex system originating from the local distortions in the helical morphology due to the wake of the sails are observed and described. Flow fields and electromagnetic features at different axial and radial positions in the wake are also discussed. The results manifest that the pronounced intensity of the induced magnetic field can attain 0.5 nT, which can be detected by precise magnetometers. Moreover, velocity components and induced magnetic fields are thoroughly examined to reveal the mechanism of induced electromagnetic field generation, which is closely linked to the flow velocity and background geomagnetic field. Subsequently, dynamic analyses by power spectral densities are executed to further inspect the frequency characteristics. These scientific findings provide beneficial insights for the research on hydrodynamic and electromagnetic wake, especially considering the potential application of submersible non-acoustic detection.