Investigation of a Loose-Webbed Paddle Surface Impulse Propulsor.

Abstract

The purpose of this investigation was twofold. The first goal was to develop an understanding of the flow behavior and interaction with the blades of a paddlewheel type Surface Impulse Propulsion (SIP) system operating over a water surface. The second goal was to experimentally evaluate the effect of interblade webbing and wheel internal pressure on the thrust performance of a webbed SIP system. A series of configurations of forward speed, wheel rpm, blade immersion depth, web length, and internal wheel pressure were tested. Application of the webbing material significantly improved thrust production. Two critical parameters were the ratio of web length to blade tip to tip distance and internal system pressure. Both influenced the losses common to such a system, water entrainment at blade exit and air entrainment in the blade cavities at blade entry. Improvements of as much as 600% were seen in thrust coefficient for the best case, and significant performance improvement was noted over a wide range of parameters.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1982
Accession Number
ADA125077

Entities

People

  • James Michael Hunn

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Sensors

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Air Entrainment
  • Amphibious Vehicles
  • Blade Tips
  • Data Acquisition
  • Froude Number
  • Geometry
  • Internal Pressure
  • Marine Propulsion
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Mechanical Structure
  • Production
  • Propulsion Systems
  • Transducers
  • Vehicles

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Combustion and Flow Dynamics.
  • Database Systems and Applications