Hydrodynamic Trends for Preliminary Design of Fully Cavitating Hydrofoil Sections

The object of this numerical study is to consider possible hydrodynamic trends for use in trade-off studies for the preliminary design of fully cavitating hydrofoil sections. Hydrodynamic data are obtained from inverse calculations which are based upon two-dimensional linearized cavity-flow theory. Supplementary data are also calculated from the direct problem of linearized cavity-flow theory in order to show off-design performance trends and to assess the effects of cavity-foil interference on the operating range of selected profiles. For the inverse calculations one specifies design values of the lift coefficient, cavitation number, and cavity thickness at the trailing edge, as well as the shape of the pressure distribution on the wetted surface of the hydrofoil section. In accordance with this specification, the ordinates of the profile wetted surface and upper-cavity contour are calculated, together with values of drag coefficient, moment coefficient, and attack angle at the design point. The paper summarizes the results of a parametric study of the effects of design cavitation number, lift coefficient, cavity thickness, and pressure distribution shape upon hydrofoil section performance and geometry. Three-dimensional wing effects, viscous drag, and the effects of structural design criteria are all outside the scope of the study. Results pertaining to steady two-dimensional cavity flows of an ideal incompressible fluid past a rigid hydrofoil section are presented.