A computational tool for the rapid design and prototyping of propellers for underwater vehicles
Citable URI
https://hdl.handle.net/1912/1849DOI
10.1575/1912/1849Keyword
Submersibles; Ocean engineeringAbstract
An open source, MATLAB™-based propeller design code MPVL was improved to include rapid
prototyping capabilities as well as other upgrades as part of this effort. The resulting code, OpenPVL is
described in this thesis. In addition, results from the development code BasicPVL are presented. An
intermediate code, BasicPVL, was created by the author while OpenPVL was under development, and it
provides guidance for initial propeller designs and propeller efficiency analysis. OpenPVL is part of the
open source software suite of propeller design codes, OpenProp. OpenPVL is in the form of a Graphical
User Interface (GUI) which features both a parametric design technique and a single propeller geometry
generator. This code combines a user-friendly interface with a highly modifiable platform for advanced
users. This tool offers graphical propeller design feedback while recording propeller input, output,
geometry, and performance. OpenPVL features the ability to translate the propeller design geometry into
a file readable by a Computer Aided Design (CAD) program and converted into a 3D-printable file.
Efficient propellers reduce the overall power requirements for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles
(AUVs), and other propulsion-powered vehicles. The focus of this study is based on the need of propeller
users to have an open source computer-based engineering tool for the rapid design of propellers suited to
a wide range of underwater vehicles. Propeller vortex lattice lifting line (PVL) code in combination with
2D foil theory optimizes propeller design for AUVs. Several case studies demonstrate the functionality of
OpenPVL, and serve as guides for future propeller designs. The first study analyzes propeller thruster
performance characteristics for an off-the-shelf propeller, while the second study demonstrates the
process for propeller optimization—from the initial design to the final file that can be read by a 3D
printer. The third study reviews the complete process of the design and production of an AUV propeller.
Thus, OpenPVL performs a variety of operations as a propeller lifting line code in streamlining the
propeller optimization and prototyping process.
Description
Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of
Master of Science at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and the
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution September 2007
Suggested Citation
Thesis: D’Epagnier, Kathryn Port, "A computational tool for the rapid design and prototyping of propellers for underwater vehicles", 2007-09, DOI:10.1575/1912/1849, https://hdl.handle.net/1912/1849Related items
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