Performance of a Supercavitating Jet-Flapped Hydrofoil Operating at Arbitrary Submergence

Abstract

The flow around an arbitrary supercavitating, jet-flapped hydrofoil operating at an arbitrary submergence is analyzed by a second order theory and the following results are obtained; (i) The hydrofoil performance data are shown for various submergences and jet operating conditions. (ii) The flap effects are highly dependent on the submergence as well as the hydrofoil shape. (iii) Operation of the jet flap results in an increase in the cavity thickness so that the hydrofoil thickness can be increased. (iv) Especially at the shallower submergences, the performance, as well as the flow pattern, changes strikingly with changes in submergence.