Quiet Propeller Design for a Fisheries research Vessel

Abstract

A propeller was designed and tested for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) fisheries research vessel FRV-40. The ship is propelled by a single propeller operating in the wake of a skeg. The radiated noise goal required the propeller to be capable of operating cavitation free at a speed of at least 11 knots. The propeller was also required to meet ABS ice class C0. A five-bladed, fixed-pitch propeller was designed to meet the requirement. The design was completed using lifting line, lifting surface, and panel codes. The design propeller incorporates tip unloading, large diameter, thick blades, and long chord lengths to achieve the required performance. Open water and powering tests were performed at the David Taylor Model Basin. Cavitation evaluation testing was performed in the Navy's Large Cavitation Channel.