An application of multidisciplinary design optimization to the hydrodynamic performances of underwater robots

• A PSO-CO framework is proposed for the design of an underwater robot.
• An Isight based automatic integration optimization platform is established.
• An approximate model is designed to substitute the accurate analytical model.
• CFD calculation is performed to analyze the hydrodynamic performances.

Multidisciplinary Design Optimization (MDO) is proposed for the design of the lines of an underwater robot. Hydrodynamic performances of the underwater robot are concerned about in the design, including the resistance and the manoeuvrability. A method of MDO, Collaborative Optimization (CO), is adopted. To improve the efficiency of optimization, approximate models are established in sub-disciplines. Also, an artificial intelligent technique, Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), is incorporated into the CO framework. The optimization design of the lines of the underwater robot is carried out on an Isight platform, an automatic integration optimization platform. Through the platform, the optimization design of the lines and the analysis of the hydrodynamic performances can be achieved automatically with high efficiency. An autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), SUBOFF, is taken as a verification model. For different lines, CFD calculation is performed to analyze the resistance and manoeuvrability. By comparison, the optimal lines of the hull and the fairwater are determined.