An integral panel method for the hydrodynamic analysis of hybrid contra-rotating shaft pod propulsors

The present work is devoted to developing an efficient method for the analysis and design of hybrid contra-rotating shaft pod (HCRSP) propulsors. The geometry of contra-rotating propulsor (CRP) was then analyzed, and a steady integral panel method that treats the forward and aft propellers as a whole part is presented. During the study, the control equation of the steady integral panel method for CRP is derived in detail. From the experience of developing an integral panel method for CRP, the characteristics of panel singularity strength in HCRSP propulsor was analyzed. Based on this analysis, an integral panel method for HCRSP propulsor is developed and the wake model discussed. Then, the method is applied in the performance analysis of HCRSP propulsor. Comparison between experimental data and numerical results shows that the steady integral panel method has good accuracy in terms of open water performance. Regarding the latter, the error source in the steady integral panel method is discussed.