PRIME HYDRODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE AND ACOUSTIC PROFILE IN UNDERWATER VEHICLES: OPTIMIZING PROPELLER GUARDS PARAMETERS

Abstract

The development of propulsion systems for underwater vehicles, including AUVs and ROVs, that optimize thrust while minimizing noise pollution caused by humans is becoming more important because to the wide range of uses for these vehicles. Little is known about how to optimize the propeller guards of underwater vehicles, despite the fact that these components change hydrodynamics and affect thrust and noise. There is a lack of research on the effects of guarded propellers on the propulsion efficiency of underwater vehicles and a missed chance to improve environmental outcomes since much of the existing literature focuses on surface vehicles and open propeller designs. In order to find the best design, this study used parametric computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine 75 different propeller guard designs. A custom-built equipment was used to measure thrust generated and noise created in order to confirm these findings. Six guard configurations were chosen at random from the parametric research spanning three guard lengths. When it came to measuring thrust, the experimental findings were in agreement with the model-based expectations. Assuming the thrust findings are correct, any parametric study configuration that produces more thrust than the open propeller would be even better. Out of the six experimental guards, four showed noise reductions below the open propeller of 0.01 dB to 10.29 dB. A 5.86% increase in thrust and a 1.08 dB reduction in noise were achieved by the experimental propeller guard design with the highest efficiency. Optimizing propeller guards may improve underwater vehicle performance and reduce noise pollution, according to this research. Research into other testable criteria, improvements to the testing equipment, and assessment of guarded propellers for use in actual underwater vehicles are all potential next steps. Underwater Vehicles, Propeller Guards, Propeller Noise, and Propeller Thrust