STUDIES IN HYDRODYNAMIC TRACK PROPULSION
Abstract
An investigation to improve the water propulsion performance of tracked vehicles is described. The study centers about drag measurements made in a wind tunnel and in a towing tank to investigate the effect of changing the shape and spacing of rectangular track plates. It has been popularly believed that, due to turbulence, the first few track cleats do most of the propulsion. This investigation, however, establishes results indicating almost equal performance for all track cleats, throughout the length of the track. Near- maximum plate thrust was obtained at spacing-to-plate-chord ratios above 6. Maximum thrust per unit length of track was obtained at a spacing-to-plate-chord ratio of approximately 1.2. Of the three rectangular-plate aspect ratios tested (2, 5, and 10), the aspect ratio of 10 gave the highest thrust per unit length. Tests were made at plate centerline submergence-to-chord-width ratios of 2.54 and 4.57. No appreciable change in thrust was measured. Summaries of previous studies associated with the problem of track propulsion are presented.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1966
- Accession Number
- AD0800852
Entities
People
- I. R. Ehrlich
- I. Tanaka
- J. A. Mercier
Organizations
- Stevens Institute of Technology