Numerical calculations of the hydrodynamic performance of the contra-rotating propeller (CRP) for high speed vehicle

Several different methods have been used to analyze the marine propellers. In this paper a boundary element method (BEM) for modelling steady hydrodynamic performance of a contra-rotating propeller (CRP) has been developed. The potential flow across the front and rear propellers have been considered. By calculating the induced flow, the interaction between two propellers is studied. This method has been applied to a typical CRP. The results are included in the form of the hydrodynamic performance coefficients, total thrust and torques. Numerical calculations indicate that the predicted hydrodynamic performance shows good conformity with experimental results.