A Study On the Design Optimization of an AUV By Using Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV's) provide an important means for collecting detailed scientific information from the ocean depths. The hull resistance of an AUV is an important factor in determining the power requirements and range of the vehicle. This paper describes a design method using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for determining the hull resistance of an AUV under development. The CFD results reveal the distribution of hydrodynamic values (velocity, pressure, etc.) of the AUV with a ducted propeller. The optimization of the AUV hull profile for reducing the total resistance is also discussed in this paper. This paper demonstrates that shape optimization in conceptual design is possible by using a commercial CFD package. The optimum designs to minimize the drag force of the AUV were carried out, for a given object function and constraints.