Numerical investigation on hydrodynamic performance of shaftless rim-driven thruster

AbstractAs a new type of propulsion method, the shaftless rim-driven thruster (RDT) has become a research hotspot for ship propulsion due to the absence of the propeller propulsion shaft system setting and the advantages of small cabin occupancy, low noise and low vibration. Numerical investigations were performed to study the effect of blade inclination angle on the hydrodynamic performance of shaftless Rim-driven Thruster. To verify the feasibility of the simulation method, the No.19A + Ka4-70 duct propeller was analysed first and the geometric model of the RDT for the hydrodynamic properties was established in reverse engineering. The hydrodynamic performance of the shaftless rim thruster was studied based on the RANS method, and the performance data of this shaftless rim thruster at each inlet speed coefficient were obtained. Additionally, the characteristics of the change in the inclination angle of the blade relative to its centre axis were examined and the effect of the change in inclination angle on the hydrodynamic performance of the shaftless rim thruster was investigated. Additionally, the numerical calculation results show that a five degree increase in the Z-axis circumferential inclination results in the increase of all the hydrodynamic coefficients of the RDT. Among them, the total thrust is increased by about 14%, the total torque is increased by about 15% and the total efficiency is also comparable to the original thruster efficiency. AcknowledgementWe would like to thank the Zhejiang Province Public Welfare Technology Application Research Project (LGG22E080020), Healthy & Intelligent Kitchen Engineering Research Center of Zhejiang Province (ZFGGJ2021-389), 2025 Major Programs on Science Technology Innovation of Ningbo (2020Z06) and National “111” Centre on Safety and Intelligent Operation of Sea Bridges (D21013) for their support for this research.Disclosure statementNo potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).Additional informationFundingThis work was supported by the Zhejiang Province Public Welfare Technology Application Research Project [grant number LGG22E080020]; 2025 Major Programs on Science Technology Innovation of Ningbo [grant number 2020Z06]; Healthy & Intelligent Kitchen Engineering Research Center of Zhejiang Province.Notes on contributorsLiang PengLiang Peng, Doctoral students, Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University.Changfa WangChangfa Wang, Master's student, Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University.Yongqiang TanYongqiang Tan, Master's student, Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University.Yi HuYi Hu, Master's student, Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University.Zhenlei ChenZhenlei Chen, Professor, Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University.Shaohua XiaShaohua Xia, Senior engineer, Ningbo Haibo Group Co. Ltd.Fan ShiFan Shi, Professor, Faculty of Maritime and Transportation, Ningbo University.