MODEL DRAG STUDIES OF A SUBMERGED, WATER-LUBRICATED UNDERWATER SLED

摘要

A quarter-scale underwater sled model was tested in a laboratory soil bin filled with sand. The sled has a perforated bottom plate which allows a lubricating flow of water between the sled and the soil. Drag force was measured as a function of load, water flow, size and number of perforation holes, angle of pitch and forward speed. The results show that the water lubrication of the sled can reduce the drag forces to one-third of that without lubrication, and therefore, reduce the tow power requirements.