DLBA UNIVERSITY
Design Considerations for Propellers in a Cavitating Environment
JANUARY 10, 2019
By Donald L. Blount and David L. Fox
Cavitation adds a dimension to propeller operation that necessitates rational design practice to approach a good balance of craft requirements. This paper discusses propeller characteristic format to reduce the computation time to make performance predictions and propeller selection for partially and fully cavitating conditions. In addition, maximum propeller thrust and torque loading limits are defined for four different blade section shapes, including recommended design limits.
References
1. Blount D.L. and Fox D.L. “Small Craft Power Prediction” Marine Technology, Vol 13, No. 1, Jan 1976.
2. Gawn, R.W. I. and Burrill, L.C. “The Effect of Cavitation on the Performance of a Series of 16 inch Model Propellers” Trans. INA Vol. 99, 1957.
3. Van Lemmeren, W.P., van Manen J.D. and Oosterveld M.W.C., “The Wageningen B-Screw Series,” Trans SNAME, Vol. 77, 1969.
4. Newton, R.N. and Rader, H.P. “performance Data of propellers for High-Speed Craft,” Trans. RINA, Vol. 108, 1961.
5. Hecker, R.C., Shields, C., and McDonald, N. “Experimental Performance of a Controllable-Pitch Supercavitating Propeller,” NSRDC Report 1636, Aug. 1967.
6. Blount D.L. and Carinder, J.E. “Propeller Characteristic Format for Use with High Speed Craft,” NAVESECNORDIV Report 6660-18 July, 1975.
7. Blount, D.L. and Hankley, D.W., “Full-Scale Trials and Analyses of High-Performance Planing Craft Data” Trans. SNAME, Vol. 84, 1976
8. Blount, D.L., Stuntz, G.R., Jr., Gregory D.L. and Frome, M.J. “Correlation of Full-Scale Trials and Model Tests for a Small Planing Boat,” Trans. RINA, 1968
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