The Design of Water-Jet Propulsion Systems for Hydrofoil Craft

Abstract

This paper contains a brief description of the water-jet propulsion system as applied to hydrofoil craft, and a discussion of the salient hydrodynamic aspects of the problem of fitting the main propulsion system to the specified thrust-versus-speed requirements. The factors that affect the overall propulsive efficiency and the weight of the system are discussed at some length; procedures for optimization of performance at the design cruising speed are outlined; finally, the processes by which the performance at off-design conditions may be evaluated are discussed and illustrated with performance curves for one specific design.