Experimental research on propeller-ice contact process and prediction of extreme ice load

Abstract

Due to the complex and diverse nature of the propeller-ice contact problem, understanding the contact mechanism and evaluating the ice loads remains challenging. This study investigates the propeller-ice contact problem and explores the internal factors influencing the ice loads through model experiments at different advanced velocities, rotational speeds, and milling depths. The recorded ice load data is then used to predict the extreme loads that the propeller may encounter throughout its life cycle using the probabilistic method. The experimental results reveal that the shadowing effect and angle of attack are the primary reasons advanced velocity affects ice load, with the latter factor also being the internal cause of the load change caused by the rotational speed change. Moreover, the nonlinear increase of the ice load with the cutting depth increase is due to the chord length's change. The probability method analysis shows that the maximum thrust and torque the blade may encounter during its life cycle are approximately 50% and 35% higher than the maximum data recorded in the test. Additionally, this manuscript introduces the ice-making process and proposes a more straightforward calculation method for the shadowing coefficient.