Investigation on Nose and Tail Shape Effects on Hydrodynamic Parameters in Autonomous Underwater Vehicles

Abstract

Development of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) which meets the design constraints and provides the best hydrodynamic performance is really an important challenge in the field of hydrodynamics. In this paper a new profile is used for designing the hull of AUVs. The nose and tail profiles of an AUV using presented profile is designed such that it can properly consider the length constraints due to arrangement of different components in the AUV body. In the current work the flow around an AUV is simulated numerically. Then, the nose and tail profiles are changed in order to investigate the contribution of each of these elements on pressure distribution over the body as well as total drag of the underwater vehicle. The effects of nose and tail profiles on hydrodynamic performance of body were evaluated for this underwater vehicle. Results showed that modified nose and tail shape improved the hydrodynamic behavior of AUVs effectively.