Performance Evaluation of a Hybrid Thruster for Spherical Underwater Robots
Chunying Li, Shuxiang Guo, Jian Guo
Abstract
In this paper, a hybrid thruster for spherical underwater robots was developed and its performance was evaluated. The objective of this work was to improve the execution efficiency, multimodality and maneuverability of the autonomous underwater robot (AUV). Firstly, using meshing method, the open-water performance and flow field of individual water-jet and propeller thruster were analyzed. Numerical simulations were calculated and verified using experimental data. Then, the interaction between the hybrid thrusters were discussed, the flow field characteristics and hydrodynamic performance of the hybrid propulsion system were validated through streamline and pressure distribution. Finally, the hybrid propulsion system was designed, the thrust measurement experiments and the basic motion experiments for spherical underwater robot (SUR) using a hybrid thruster were carried out, including water-jet mode, propeller mode and the hybrid mode. The experimental results further verified the performance of the hybrid propulsion system, which meet the requirements of rapidity and flexibility, as well as the feasibility of underwater applications.