Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Hull Research Articles

Shape optimization of an autonomous underwater vehicle with a ducted propeller using computational fluid dynamics analysis

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) provide a useful means of collecting detailed oceano-graphic information. The hull resistance of an AUV is an important factor in determining the power requirements and range of the vehicle. This paper describes a procedure using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for determining the hull resistance of an AUV under development, for a given propeller rotation speed and within a given range of AUV velocities. The CFD analysis results reveal the distribution of the hydrodynamic values (velocity, pressure, etc.) around the AUV hull and its ducted propeller. The paper then proceeds to present a methodology for optimizing the AUV profile in order to reduce the total resistance. This paper demonstrates that shape optimization of conceptual designs is possible using the commercial CFD package contained in Ansys<TEX>$^{TM}$</TEX>. The optimum design to minimize the drag force of the AUV was identified for a given object function and a set of constrained design parameters.

Numerical computation and analysis of unsteady viscous flow around autonomous underwater vehicle with propellers based on sliding mesh

The flexible transmission shaft and wheel propeller are combined as the kinetic source equipment, which realizes the multi-motion modes of the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) such as vectored thruster and wheeled movement. In order to study the interactional principle between the hull and the wheel propellers while the AUV navigating in water, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is used to simulate numerically the unsteady viscous flow around AUV with propellers by using the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations, shear-stress transport (SST) k-w model and pressure with splitting of operators (PISO) algorithm based on sliding mesh. The hydrodynamic parameters of AUV with propellers such as resistance, pressure and velocity are got, which reflect well the real ambient flow field of AUV with propellers. Then, the semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm is used to compute the steady viscous flow field of AUV hull and propellers, respectively. The computational results agree well with the experimental data, which shows that the numerical method has good accuracy in the prediction of hydrodynamic performance. The interaction between AUV hull and wheel propellers is predicted qualitatively and quantitatively by comparing the hydrodynamic parameters such as resistance, pressure and velocity with those from integral computation and partial computation of the viscous flow around AUV with propellers, which provides an effective reference to the study on noise and vibration of AUV hull and propellers in real environment. It also provides technical support for the design of new AUVs.

Shape optimization of an autonomous underwater vehicle with a ducted propeller using computational fluid dynamics analysis

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) provide a useful means of collecting detailed oceano-graphic information. The hull resistance of an AUV is an important factor in determining the power requirements and range of the vehicle. This paper describes a procedure using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for determining the hull resistance of an AUV under development, for a given propeller rotation speed and within a given range of AUV velocities. The CFD analysis results reveal the distribution of the hydrodynamic values (velocity, pressure, etc.) around the AUV hull and its ducted propeller. The paper then proceeds to present a methodology for optimizing the AUV profile in order to reduce the total resistance. This paper demonstrates that shape optimization of conceptual designs is possible using the commercial CFD package contained in Ansys™. The optimum design to minimize the drag force of the AUV was identified for a given object function and a set of constrained design parameters.

Experimental investigation of hydrodynamic force coefficients over AUV hull form

Extensive use of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in oceanographic applications necessitates investigation into the hydrodynamic forces acting over an AUV hull form operating under deeply submerged condition. This paper presents a towing tank-based experimental study on forces and moment on AUV hull form in the vertical plane. The AUV hull form considered in the present program is a 1:2 model of the standard hull form Afterbody1. The present measurements were carried out at typical speeds of autonomous underwater vehicles (0.4–1.4 m/s) by varying pitch angles (0–15°). The hydrodynamic forces and moment are measured by an internally mounted multi-component strain gauge type balance. The measurements were used to study variation of axial, normal, drag, lift and pitching moment coefficients with Reynolds number ( Re) and angle of attack. The measurements have also been used to validate results obtained from a CFD code that uses Reynolds Average Navier–Stokes equations (ANSYS™ Fluent). The axial and normal force coefficients are increased by 18% and 195%; drag, lift and pitching moment coefficients are increased by 90%, 182% and 297% on AUV hull form at α=15° and Re v=3.65×10 5. These results can give better idea for the efficient design of guidance and control systems for AUV.

A study of autonomous underwater vehicle hull forms using computational fluid dynamics

Reduction of the propulsive power requirement by efficient hull form design is one of the important requirements for the successful operation of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In the absence of reliable and sufficiently accurate experimental data this will require experimental analysis of a large number of hull forms, a task which is both expensive and time-consuming. Recent developments in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) can offer a cost-effective solution to this problem. In this paper such a method is developed to simulate the flow past axisymmetric AUVs. Its application is discussed for four different hull forms. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A study of autonomous underwater vehicle hull forms using computational fluid dynamics

A study of autonomous underwater vehicle hull forms using computational fluid dynamics