Correlation between blade parameters and underwater radiated noise of rim-driven thruster

Objective This study aims to examine the impacts of the blade design parameters on the hydrodynamic and hydro-acoustic performance of a rim-driven thruster.

Methods The evaluation of the rim-driven thruster's performance is carried out using a hybrid approach wherein the URANS/IDDES/LES solver is combined with the P-FWH equations under uniform flow and non-cavitation conditions. The characteristics of its wake evolution are then discussed.

Results For propulsion efficiency greater than 55%, the sound pressure level in the 500 Hz frequency band is below 90 dB in the design scheme. The blade pitch is mainly distributed in the range of 1.2D to 1.6D, and the blade tip chord length is mainly distributed in the range of 0.25D to 0.3D.

Conclusion The results of this study can provide valuable references for the design efficiency of rim-driven thrusters.