Effects of Inlet Ducting Geometries on the Performance Characteristics of Waterjet Engines. Phase 1: Measurement of Pressure Distributions

摘要

Currently, the U.S. military has shown interest in developing landing craft with waterjet engines. To date, little is known about the best shape for the inlet of the waterjet. The shape of the inlet is important, as separation effects and two phase flow can result in decreased efficiency of the engine. This project is the first of several phases involved in designing efficient waterjet engines. The main goal of the initial phase of the project is to develop an experimental technique to determine the pressure distribution under the hull of a ship near the inlet of the engines. Pressure readings from measuring devices are used to determine the pressure distribution under the aft section of the hull. The resultant pressure distribution can be used to design hulls with differently shaped inlets for the waterjet with a high degree of confidence. The technique for determining the pressure distribution can be used to test other hulls, providing information on the velocity distribution over the aft section of the hull.