Study on the Optimal Design of a Shark-like Shape AUV Based on the CFD Method

Abstract

In previous AUV designs, the thrusters were often placed outside the vehicle, resulting in their performance being significantly influenced by the shape of the vehicle. Additionally, this placement also leads to the generation of strong radiated noise that propagates in all directions, making noise reduction challenging. Taking inspiration from the shape of sharks, this paper proposes a slender, shark-inspired AUV. The model features a continuous passageway in the middle where a pump-jet thruster is installed to provide propulsion. The walls of the passageway are then covered with sound-absorbing materials to reduce radiated noise. To address the problem of low design efficiency caused by multiple design parameters, a multi-objective optimization method is proposed to optimize the shape of the AUV. The performance targets of speed, displacement, and energy consumption are determined as objective functions, and a multi-island genetic algorithm is used as the optimization algorithm to build the multi-objective optimization process. An automated optimization platform was then developed which integrates parametric modeling, mesh partitioning, the CFD calculation, and the optimized design. To enhance the efficiency of optimization, a surrogate model was developed to approximate the CFD calculation. Using the optimal Latin hypercube method, experimental factors were designed, and a surrogate model was constructed based on the radial basis function approach. Following optimization, the resistance was reduced by 9.1%, while the displacement volume was increased by 10.7% and energy consumption was decreased by 6.3%. By analyzing the velocity and entropy production distribution of the AUV, the effectiveness of the optimization method was verified.