Supercavitating Vehicle Dynamics With Non-Cylindrical, Non-Symmetric Cavities

Dive-plane dynamics of supercavitating vehicles show highly nonlinear behavior. This is attributed to the vehicle/cavity wall interaction, and the cavity shape has been recognized to play an important role in the system dynamics. To date, supercavitating models make use of constant cylindrical cavities. In this work, a dive-plane model with non-cylindrical and nonsymmetric cavity shapes is considered. A numeric cavity model is used, the cavitator angle of attack effects are considered, and a non-steady non-cylindrical planing force model is incorporated. The resulting effects on the system dynamics and control are addressed and discussed.