Numerical investigation of yaw angle effects on propulsive characteristics of podded propulsors

Abstract

The present paper deals with the problems of yaw angle effects on podded propulsor performance. The study aims at providing insights on characteristics of podded propulsors in azimuthing condition. In this regard, a wide numerical simulation that concerned yaw angle effect measurement on podded propeller performance was performed. The Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) based solver is used in order to study the variations of hydrodynamic characteristics of podded propulsor at various angles. At first, the propeller is analyzed in open water condition in absence of pod and strut. Next flow around pod and strut are simulated without effect of propellers. Finally, the whole unit is studied in zero yaw angle and azimuthing condition. Structured and unstructured mesh techniques are used for single propeller and podded propulsor. The performance curves of the propeller obtained by numerical method are compared and verified by the experimental results. The characteristic parameters including the torque and thrust of the propeller, the axial force and side force of unit are presented as function of velocity advance ratio and yaw angle. The results shows that the propeller thrust, torque and podded unit forces in azimuthing condition depend on velocity advance ratio and yaw angle.