A Numerical Analysis of the Supercavitating Flow around Three-Dimensional Axisymmetric Cavitators

Recently submerged objects moving at high speed such as a supercavitating torpedo have been studied for their practical advantage of the dramatic drag reduction. In this study, we are focusing our attention on supercavitating flows around axisymmetric cavitators; a numerical method based on inviscid flow is developed and predicted supercavities around several shapes of 2D and 3D cavitators are presented. The results are validated by comparison of existing theoretical and empirical results. In addition, characteristic features of supercavity shapes and drag forces acting on a real scale torpedo are evaluated according to practically appropriate operating conditions.