Abstract
Numerical simulation is investigated to disclose how propeller boss cap fins (PBCF) operate utilizing Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method. In addition, exploration of the influencing mechanism of PBCF on the open water efficiency of one controllable-pitch propeller is analyzed through the open water characteristic curves, blade surface pressure distribution and hub streamline distribution. On this basis, the influence of parameters including airfoil profile, diameter, axial position of installation and circumferential installation angle on the open water efficiency of the controllable-pitch propeller is investigated. Numerical results show: for the controllable-pitch propeller, the thrust generated is at the optimum when the radius of boss cap fins is 1.5 times of propeller hub with an optimal installation position in the axial direction, and its optimal circumferential installation position is the midpoint of the extension line of the front and back ends of two adjacent propeller roots in the front of fin root. Under these optimal parameters, the gain of open water efficiency of the controllable-pitch propeller with different advance velocity coefficients is greater than 0.01, which accounts for approximately an increase of 1%–5% of open water efficiency.
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Foundation item: Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No. 51079157.
Ying Xiong was born in 1958. He received his PhD degree in Fluid Mechanics from Wuhan University of Technology. He is a professor at Naval University of Engineering. His current research interests include hydrodynamics, design and optimization of marine propulsors.
Zhanzhi Wang was born in 1986. He is a PhD candidate at Naval University of Engineering. His current research interests include ship hydrodynamics and computational fluid dynamics.
Wanjiang Qi was born in 1983. He received his master degree in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Naval University of Engineering. His current research interests include hull optimization and CFD.
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Xiong, Y., Wang, Z. & Qi, W. Numerical study on the influence of boss cap fins on efficiency of controllable-pitch propeller. J. Marine. Sci. Appl. 12, 13–20 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-013-1166-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11804-013-1166-9