Numerical study on vortex shedding of cycloidal propellers

Understanding the complex flow fields behind the propeller and the structure of vortex shedding of cycloidal propellers are essential to analyzing the instantaneous forces on the blades and the overall hydrodynamic performance. In this paper, numerical simulation is performed to investigate the hydrodynamics and vortex shedding of cycloidal blades. The numerical results agree well with experimental results. The flow field around the propeller was investigated and a three-dimensional analysis was performed for flow fields behind the propeller. The complex flow fields and vortices around the blades were then examined. Finally, parametric analysis shows that eccentricity, advance coefficient, and position of rotation center have significant effects on vortex formation and shedding, clearly affecting the pulsation of the forces on the blade.