Two-dimensional study on the hydrodynamic performance of collaborative spoiled rudder

Abstract

A novel collaborative spoiler rudder (CSR) is proposed to improve the maneuverability of a ship. This work focuses on the hydrodynamic performance of CSR in two-dimensional section. Mesh uncertainty analysis based on experimental data is used to validate the mesh generating strategy and numerical method. The study about the effects of spoilers on rudder performance shows that the spoiler on the upper surface has a negative impact on rudder response, particularly before stalling, and ought to be closed during steering conditions. The effect of the spoiler on the lower surface on rudder performance is further studied. The results show that the maximum lift of CSR with the spoiler on the lower surface (spoiler A) opened to the maximum control angle is about 1.50 times that of a conventional rudder (CR). The target lift method is used for CSR efficiency evaluation. The optimal ranges of the rudder angle and the control angle of spoiler A are determined. The maximum efficiency of CSR can be increased by about 69% for the target lift compared with CR, and the corresponding rudder stock moments of CSR are much smaller than that of CR.