Investigation of the effects of cavitation number on motion characteristics of supercavitating vehicle

Abstract

Supercavitating vehicle in high speed is covered by supercavity substantially or wholly. The collision between fin of vehicle and supercavity always results in the generation of nonlinear planning force, which brings vibration and shock. To ensure stable movement of underwater supercavitating vehicle, the effects of cavitation number on the motion characteristics of a supercavitating vehicle are analyzed based on dynamic simulation tools such as numerical simulation, phase track diagram and Lyapunov exponent spectra and so on. Results demonstrated that the motion of supercavitating vehicle has nonlinear dynamic characteristics. As cavitation number varies, some physical phenomena such as Hopf bifurcation, periodic bifurcation, and chaos occured. Moreover, vibration and shock can be effectively suppressed by adjusting fin's control law, then a stable movement of the supercavitating vehicle can be achieved.