OPTIMUM CIRCULATION DISTRIBUTIONS FOR A CLASS OF MARINE PROPULSORS

A new method for determining the optimum circulation distributions for both single- and multiple-stage marine propulsors is developed. The lifting-line model for the propulsor is first discretised with a vortex-lattice. Variational calculus is then applied to this discretised problem. The result is a general procedure for determining optimum circulation distributions. This procedure can be readily extended to increasingly complex combinations of interacting lifting lines. The propeller lifting-line, vortex lattice model is described in some detail. Circulation optimisation equations for a propeller are derived. The equations are shown to recover traditional results for both light and moderate propeller loading, as well as for wake adapted propellers. Optimisation equations for the torque limited case are presented. The vortex-lattice model for multiple stage propulsors is described and the optimisation equations are derived. Examples of optimum circulation distributions for contrarotating propellers, a vane-wheel propulsor, and a propeller with pre-swirl stator are presented.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • J Ship Res, v 36 n 3, Sept 1992, p 210 [13 p, 27 ref, 3 tab, 15 fig]
• Authors:
  • Coney, W B
• Publication Date: 1992

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Mathematical analysis; Propellers
• Old TRIS Terms: Circulation; Lifting line theory
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00704008
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM