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Hydrodynamic Performance Enhancement of Torpedo-Shaped Underwater Gliders Using Numerical Techniques
Sudheendra Prabhu K1, Srinivas G1
1Aeronautical & Automobile Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology (MIT), Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal, Udupi Karnataka, 576104, India.
F1000Research
|June 16, 2025
Summary
This study optimized torpedo-shaped underwater gliders for reduced drag. Adjusting nose geometry and decreasing velocity significantly improved hydrodynamic efficiency, aiding marine vehicle design.
Area of Science:
- Marine Engineering
- Computational Fluid Dynamics
- Hydrodynamics
Background:
- Underwater gliders are crucial for marine monitoring but face instability due to unpredictable environments.
- Maintaining glider stability under hydrodynamic forces is essential for mission success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the hydrodynamic characteristics of a torpedo-shaped glider.
- To optimize glider geometry for drag force reduction.
- To analyze the impact of various flow conditions and modifications on glider performance.
Main Methods:
- Numerical simulations using ANSYS 20.1 Fluent.
- Analysis of a symmetric torpedo-shaped glider model.
- Examination of different turbulent models (Spalart-Allmaras), inflow velocities, and nose lengths.
Main Results:
- The Spalart-Allmaras turbulent model yielded the lowest validation error (1.28%).
- Decreasing velocity significantly reduced drag force by 37.3%.
- Optimizing nose length to 0.205m improved drag by 3.37%, while 0.19m resulted in a 1.67% reduction.
Conclusions:
- Various modifications, including turbulent model selection and velocity adjustments, effectively reduce drag force.
- Nose geometry optimization is a key factor in minimizing drag for underwater gliders.
- Findings provide valuable insights for hydrodynamics researchers focused on optimizing marine vehicle design.
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