Developmental Efforts on a Diffuser and Pump Inlet for a Water Jet Propulsion System.

摘要

Results from three studies relating to the development of a water jet propulsion system for a high speed planing craft are presented. More specifically, these studies apply to the development of the diffuser and pump inlet of the system and represent a continuation of previous work done at ARL/PSU in this area. The first study investigates the possible interaction of the flow between the diffuser and a vaned-volute type pump inlet. No interaction was revealed. The second study determined the feasibility of an improved vaned-volute type inlet using conventional pump design techniques to lay out the vanes. With the restrictions placed on the design by the propulsion system, flow separation from the vanes is likely and, thus, this type of inlet was found to be infeasible. The third study consisted of the design and model testing of a new diffuser and a conventional double suction pump inlet. The design and test results are documented in this report. Test results showed that the diffuser efficiency was improved slightly and the losses through the pump inlet were reduced by more than a factor of two from the losses in the vaned-volute inlet. (Author)