The propulsion of the small biomimetic ROV relies primarily on propellers. This project aims to optimize the performance of a ducted propeller by utilizing the StarCCM+ software for computational fluid dynamics simulation of its hydrodynamic characteristics. The simulation calculates the thrust and torque curves of the ducted propeller, validating the feasibility of numerical simulation. Comparing its performance with regular propeller models reveals that this ducted propeller exhibits superior thrust. Additionally, the experimental values were analyzed for trend and error, and the results were not much different, indicating that the propeller meets the power requirements of the ROV.
Currently, underwater vehicles primarily rely on propellers for propulsion, with ducted propellers being widely utilized in underwater vehicles due to their high thrust and efficiency. In order to achieve good operational performance and lower costs, a variety of simplified ducted propeller designs have been widely adopted in the consumer sector. However, the specific performance of these designs has not been thoroughly investigated.
Long-term research on the hydrodynamic performance of propellers has traditionally relied on experiments, particularly for larger-sized propellers where experimental implementation poses certain challenges. Open-water tests are commonly conducted using similarity laws, wherein the propeller is individually placed in a uniform water flow for testing. Open-water tests are typically performed in towing tanks, circulating water channels, or cavitation tunnels. While open-water tests provide a relatively accurate method for studying propeller performance, they are costly and have lower repeatability.
In recent years, with the widespread adoption of computer technology and advancements in computational methods, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technology has made significant progress. Compared to experimental research, numerical simulation offers unique advantages of lower cost, shorter cycles, and the ability to provide comprehensive data. CFD technology has found extensive applications in the engineering field, saving considerable resources and costs while allowing the setup of computational flow fields based on research needs, which is challenging to achieve in physical experiments. Therefore, this study focuses on the propulsion system of a small ROV, employing numerical simulation to conduct an in-depth investigation into its hydrodynamic performance.
