Hydrodynamic loads on ice-class propellers during propeller-ice interaction

Hydrodynamic loads on a propeller blocked with simulated ice were studied using a cavitation tunnel. Comparative predictions were made using a panel method. The propeller was a model of the Canadian Coast Guard's R-class icebreake propeller, and the ice block was simulated using a solid blockage. Experimental results show the open water performance of the propeller, its performance behind a blockage, and the effects of cavitation in these conditions, as well as the loading on the simulated ice block. Panel method predictions were made of the time series propeller performance in the blocked flow. Cavitation during propellerice interaction resulted in a reduction of mean suction load on the ice block. Block load measurements indicated an increase in the oscillation about the mean value of the loads, with a variation in the phase of the loading with respect to blade position as compared with the non-cavitating results. Comparisons of panel method results with the measured block loads support the reliability of the dynamic measurements.List of symbols D propeller diameter - F block drag load - K_T thrust coefficient,T/(n²D⁴) - K_B block load coefficient,F/(n²D⁴) - K_Q torque coefficient,Q/(n²D⁵) - Q propeller torque - T propeller thrust - n propeller rotational speed - J propeller advance coefficientV_A/(nD) - P_A ambient pressure at propeller - P_ATM atmospheric pressure - P_V vapour pressure of water - V_A propeller advance speed - dissolved gas content - _s saturated dissolved gas content at atmospheric pressure - _o open water propeller efficiency - cavitation number, (P_A–P_V)/(0.5(nD)²) - density of water