Hydrodynamic Performance of a New Type of Ducted Propeller Operating in Oblique Flow

The analysis of a propeller operating in off-design conditions is one of the most attractive and challenging topics in hydrodynamics, because of its close connections with different aspects of underwater vehicle design and performances. The hydrodynamic characteristics of the KA4-70+JD7704 ducted propeller and new ducted propeller in oblique flow is numerically simulated based on solving the Reynoldsaveraged Navier-Stokes equations in rotating and stationary coordinate systems. Two incidence angles with different baffle locations at different advance ratios are considered, in order to analyze the propeller performance during several off-design conditions. The main focus is on hydrodynamic loads such as forces and moments that act on the complete propeller; peculiar characteristics of pressure distribution on the blade will be presented as well.