Optimization of semi-active hydrofoil propulsion performance based on CFD Taguchi method and neural network

Abstract

In order to improve the propulsive performance of the existing pure heaving motion hydrofoil, the effect of varying stiffness ratio K*, damping ratio C* and inertia ratio J* on the propulsive efficiency of the semi-active NACA 0012 hydrofoil is systematically investigated by using the combination of CFD, Taguchi method and neural network. The results show that the passive pitching motion can significantly affect the propulsive performance of the hydrofoil. Compared to the pure heaving hydrofoil, the propulsive efficiency of the optimized semi-active hydrofoil can be improved by up to 20.97%. Further analysis reveals that the passive pitching motion can weaken the strength of the vortex around the hydrofoil, thus reducing the thrust and lift force on the hydrofoil, which results less power consumed by the active heaving motion of the hydrofoil. Although the thrust coefficient is reduced, the energy consumed by the passive pitching hydrofoil is reduced more, which leads a higher propulsive efficiency of the semi-active hydrofoil.