IJSCT 109
Paper Title: Flexible Composite Hydrofoils and Propeller Blades
Authors
N L Mulcahy, Pacific Engineering Systems International Pty. Ltd., Australia
B G Prusty, The University of New South Wales, Australia
C P Gardiner, Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Australia
Summary
A method for the hydroelastic design of flexible composite shape-adaptive hydrofoils and marine propeller blades is described and demonstrated. It is applicable to situations in which the component is to adapt its shape to small changes in flow relative to a mean operating condition. The shape-adaptive behaviour of the flexible component results in improved efficiency in comparison to a similar rigid component. Starting from a rigid component, the effect of flexibility is considered so that the component will deform in a desired manner under hydrodynamic load changes. An optimisation procedure is used to iteratively determine the composite lay-up and unloaded shape of the flexible component so that it will achieve the required deformations consistent with the calculated change in performance due to flexibility. The method is demonstrated through two examples, which both highlight the importance of the initial geometry and materials on the overall flexibility that can be achieved.
Reference
Transactions RINA, Vol 153, Part B1, International Journal of Small Craft Technology, Jan-Jun 2011
DOI number
DOI No: 10.3940/rina.ijsct.2011.b1.109
Search and Order IJSCT papers
All International Journal of Small Craft Technology (IJSCT) papers are listed in the RINA Publications Database. You can search the database by author name and paper title. Publications may be ordered and paid for online. Other publications are also listed, some of which may be downloaded free of charge. Follow the link to Search Publications & Order.