Numerical Research on Hydrodynamic Characteristics and Influence Factors of Underwater Vehicle in Internal Solitary Waves

Abstract

The hydrodynamic forces and flow fields of an underwater vehicle encountering internal solitary waves are numerically simulated by the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes method. The Korteweg–de Vries internal solitary theory is used to model the induced currents. First, the general hydrodynamic characteristics are studied, and the computed results indicate that the unsteady feature of hydrodynamic forces is obvious under the action of internal waves. Second, three factors, such as the internal wave amplitude, underwater vehicle speed, and submergence depth, are investigated, and a series of cases are simulated and analyzed. Finally, the influence rules of the three factors are obtained with reasonable explanations.