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Published September 1955 | public
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Comparison of the characteristics of a hydrofoil under cavitating and noncavitating operation

Wu, T. Yao-tsu

Abstract

This paper investigates in a rather idealized way the different properties of fully cavitating and fully wetted hydrofoils in order to clarify the relative hydrodynamic merits of each insofar as this is possible in the present state of the art. The discussion is mainly based on a recent theory, together with some experimental data, on the hydrodynamics of two-dimensional fully cavitating hydrofoils. A number of quantitative comparisons between the fully cavitating and fully wetted two-dimensional foils have been made to bring out the different effects of such design parameters as attack angle, camber, submergence and speed on the hydrofoil in the two regimes. In addition, some of the effects which modify the two-dimensional comparison are surveyed and roughly estimated wherever possible. The consequences of air ventilation (which is closely related to fully cavitating flow) are discussed, especially as applied to the supporting struts, from the standpoint of whether or not it should be avoided. Finally, after a few remarks on some practical aspects of the problem, a rough comparison is made from the economy point of view to indicate by an example how a criterion might be chosen for one or the other type of operation. From this and the preceding calculations it is conjectured that there is strong reason to believe that the fully cavitating type of operation will be advantageous in some circumstances, but it is emphasized that more experience must be accumulated for operation in both regimes before any practical criteria can be specified.

Additional Information

This research was carried out under the Bureau of Ships Fundamental Hydromechanics Research Program, Project NS 715-102, David Taylor Model Basin. Department of the Navy, Bureau of Ships Contract Nonr-220(12) The authors wish to express their gratitude to Professor M. S. Plesset, who originally suggested this survey, and Dr. B. R. Parkin, for many valuable suggestions and helpful discussions. They also wish to thank Mrs. Rose Grant for her assistance in preparing the manuscript.

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Created:
August 21, 2023
Modified:
October 16, 2023