Cycloidal propellers (CPs) are a unique type of propulsion system that offers exceptional maneuverability, making them ideal for specialized marine applications, such as the dynamic positioning of ships. However, only a few experimental or numerical studies exist on their performance and dynamic behavior. Almost no information can be found on the occurrence of cavitation and its influence on the propulsor performance despite the very high angle of attack to which the blades of this type of propeller are subjected. To preliminary address this lack of data, this paper presents a numerical study on the performance of cycloidal propellers, focusing on thrust generation, efficiency, and cavitation occurrence. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach based on the solution of RANS equations is employed to analyze the flow characteristics and pressure distribution around the rotating blades. Additionally, the influence of cavitation on CP performance is investigated, considering its impact on thrust fluctuations and efficiency losses at different functioning conditions, characterized by different advance coefficients and cavitation indexes. The findings contribute to understanding the behavior of CP under realistic operating conditions, offering guidance for future developments in this type of high-performance propulsion system.
A Numerical Overview of the Influence of Cavitation on Cycloidal Propeller Performances
Donnarumma, Silvia;Gaggero, Stefano
2025-01-01
Abstract
Cycloidal propellers (CPs) are a unique type of propulsion system that offers exceptional maneuverability, making them ideal for specialized marine applications, such as the dynamic positioning of ships. However, only a few experimental or numerical studies exist on their performance and dynamic behavior. Almost no information can be found on the occurrence of cavitation and its influence on the propulsor performance despite the very high angle of attack to which the blades of this type of propeller are subjected. To preliminary address this lack of data, this paper presents a numerical study on the performance of cycloidal propellers, focusing on thrust generation, efficiency, and cavitation occurrence. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) approach based on the solution of RANS equations is employed to analyze the flow characteristics and pressure distribution around the rotating blades. Additionally, the influence of cavitation on CP performance is investigated, considering its impact on thrust fluctuations and efficiency losses at different functioning conditions, characterized by different advance coefficients and cavitation indexes. The findings contribute to understanding the behavior of CP under realistic operating conditions, offering guidance for future developments in this type of high-performance propulsion system.
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