Research On New Design Approach Of Propeller Hydrodynamic Performance Based On SBD Theory

An objective derived and mathematics controlled theory known as Simulation-Based Design(SBD) is performed with three components: geometry modification methods based on geometric modeling, Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) techniques and optimization theory, and it has been applied into the hull-form optimization design, the result of which shows the great advantage on the energy-saving aspect. This paper applies SBD theory to the propeller design proceed, which develops the geometry modeling method to modify the 3D geometry of propeller. Combining the CFD techniques to assess the hydrodynamic performance of propeller, a new design approach of propeller hydrodynamic performance is established based on ISIGHT platform. The application of the design approach is performed by some examples with the objective of high open-water efficiency or min-pressure coefficient.First, the traditional propeller design method and the fundamental elements of SBD theory are analysed. The key point is the breakthrough of propeller FFD geometry modification methods, by which the geometry of propeller can be modified flexibly and automatically with a few design variables(control points). Integrating the CFD techniques and the propeller FFD method into ISIGHT platform, automatic propeller optimization design process is realized.Furthermore, the design for 2D airfoil NACA 661-212 is performed with multi-objective particle swarm optimization alogorithm. NURBS curve is adopted to realize the geometry modification. The objective functions(high Lift-Drag ratio and min-pressure coefficient)are assessed by RANS solvers. The result that there exists another new airfoil with two aspects improved shows the feasibility and the great potention of SBD theory in the design area.Next, the designs of DTMB P4119 are performed. The results are less remarkable, but they prove the feasibility of the design approach. Then, the design study about a MAU propeller is performed to achieve high open-water efficiency with the global particle swarm optimization algorithm. The results show that the improvement of the open-water efficiency is about 2% for the optimized one at the design point, and the improvement of min-pressure coefficient could be 22%. What’s more, in the entire advance coefficient range, the performance of the optimized one is superior. The design optimization example demonstrates the superiority of the new propeller design approach based on SBD theory.