Control of propeller cavitation in operational conditions

Off-design conditions can have a severe impact on ship propulsion system behaviour. Resistance increase, for instance, leads to higher engine loading, and can also easily lead to a decrease of cavitation inception speed with respect to calm water conditions. Wakefield variations due to ship motions, waves and manoeuvres also have an effect on engine loading and on propeller cavitation. This paper discusses the model-based development of a propulsion control system aiming at increased cavitation free time in operational conditions, while preventing engine overloading and keeping manoeuvring characteristics acceptable. The developed propulsion control system was tested extensively in a simulation environment before full-scale trials took place in February 2008, onboard a Royal Netherlands Navy frigate. Results in terms of full-scale propulsion system behaviour are presented, including photos showing the propeller cavitation behaviour in operational conditions.

[1]  T. Trucano,et al.  Verification, Validation, and Predictive Capability in Computational Engineering and Physics , 2004 .

[2]  S. D. Jessup.  Cavitation inception tests on a systematic series of two- bladed propellers , 2006 .

[3]  P.G.M. Van der Klugt,et al.  Rudder roll stabilization , 1987 .

[4]  Xiaoping Du,et al.  Efficient Uncertainty Analysis Methods for Multidisciplinary Robust Design , 2002 .

[5]  Martijn van Rijsbergen,et al.  An Exploratory Investigation of Cavitation Inception on the Pressure Side of Propellers , 2008 .

[6]  Michael A. Sprague,et al.  Spectral elements and field separation for an acoustic fluid subject to cavitation , 2003 .

[7]  Timothy G. Trucano,et al.  Verification and Validation in Computational Fluid Dynamics , 2002 .

[8]  G. Kuiper,et al.  Cavitation inception on ship propeller models , 1981 .

[9]  Sandia Report,et al.  Measuring the Predictive Capability of Computational Methods: Principles and Methods, Issues and Illustrations , 2001 .

[10]  N Chandrashekhara,et al.  ANALYSIS OF TIP VORTEX CAVITATION INCEPTION AT HYDROFOILS AND PROPELLERS , 1976 .

[11]  Bernard Gindroz,et al.  Cavitation Nuclei and Cavitation Inception of Marine Propellers: State of the Art at the Dawn of the 21st Century. , 1998 .

[12]  Tor Arne Johansen,et al.  Experimental Validation of a Marine Propeller Thrust Estimation Scheme , 2007 .

[13]  N. Shapiro,et al.  Stiff differential equations. , 1977, Annual review of biophysics and bioengineering.

[14]  商船學校.  Marine propellers and propulsion , 1913 .

[15]  I. A. Chaikovsky,et al.  Terminology for model credibility , 1979 .

[16]  A Vrijdag,et al.  Systematic modelling, verification, calibration and validation of a ship propulsion simulation model , 2009 .

[17]  Leonard E. Schwer,et al.  An overview of the PTC 60/V&V 10: guide for verification and validation in computational solid mechanics , 2007, Engineering with Computers.

[18]  Erik van Wijngaarden,et al.  Achievements and challenges in cavitation research on ship propellers , 2007 .

[19]  Marco Anghileri,et al.  Comparison of Validation Metrics Using Repeated Full-scale Automobile Crash Tests , 2008 .

[20]  Douwe Stapersma,et al.  A study of the validity of a complex simulation model , 2007 .

[21]  Laura Painton Swiler,et al.  Calibration, validation, and sensitivity analysis: What's what , 2006, Reliab. Eng. Syst. Saf..

[22]  B. Lehman,et al.  Application of modern digital controls to improve the operational efficiency of controllable pitch propellers. Discussion. Author's closure , 1996 .

[23]  Robert J. Urick,et al.  Principles of underwater sound , 1975 .

[24]  G. Kuiper,et al.  A PROPELLER DESIGN METHOD FOR UNSTEADY CONDITIONS , 1993 .

[25]  Douwe Stapersma,et al.  Efficient uncertainty analysis of a complex multidisciplinary simulation model , 2007 .

[26]  E P de Mulder,et al.  EXPERIENCE WITH AN EXPLORATORY NOISE OPTIMIZATION CONTROL AND AN ELECTRICAL PITCH MEASUREMENT SYSTEM , 1987 .

[27]  van Terwisga,et al.  Hydrodynamic aspects of the application of a dynamic simulation model in frigate propulsion system design and operation , 2000 .

[28]  Matthew F. Barone,et al.  Measures of agreement between computation and experiment: Validation metrics , 2004, J. Comput. Phys..

[29]  D. Stapersma.  Interaction between propulsor and engine , 2000 .

[30]  G Benvenuto,et al.  Real-time simulation of a COGAG naval ship propulsion system , 2009 .

[31]  H. K. Woud,et al.  Design of Propulsion and Electric Power Generation Systems , 2002 .

[32]  P.J.M. Schulten,et al.  The interaction between diesel engines, ship and propellers during manoeuvring , 2005 .

[33]  Gert Kuiper,et al.  CAVITATION RESEARCH ON SHIP PROPELLERS , 2006 .

[34]  van Terwisga,et al.  Testing a new full scale cavitation observation system on board of Hr.Ms. Tydeman , 2000 .

[35]  Robert J Boswell,et al.  Design, Cavitation Performance, and Open-Water Performance of a Series of Research Skewed Propellers , 1971 .

[36]  Ben H. Thacker,et al.  Concepts of Model Verification and Validation , 2004 .

[37]  Pradeep Mitra Ecspe,et al.  REPORT NO , 2001 .

[38]  Stuart D. Jessup,et al.  Propeller Cavitation Prediction for a Ship in a Seaway. , 1996 .

[39]  Leonard E. Schwer,et al.  Validation metrics for response histories: perspectives and case studies , 2007, Engineering with Computers.

[40]  David M. Russell.  Error Measures for Comparing Transient Data : Part I : Development of a Comprehensive Error Measure Part II : Error Measures Case Study , 2000 .

[41]  L Noordzij.  A NOTE ON THE SCALING OF TIP VORTEX CAVITATION INCEPTION , 1977 .

[42]  Massimo Figari,et al.  Numerical simulation of ship propulsion transients and full-scale validation , 2003 .

[43]  B. W. McCormick,et al.  On Cavitation Produced by a Vortex Trailing From a Lifting Surface , 1962 .

[44]  G. L. Chahine,et al.  Scaling of Tip Vortex Cavitation Inception for a Marine Open Propeller , 2008 .