A Study on the Method of Estimation of Thrust Performance of AUVs

Abstract

Thrust is one of important performances of AUV. At designing, firstly the resistance of AUV at its maximum speed is estimated from its shape and then the thrust system, including propeller diameter, propeller RPM, driving system and required power is designed. But we can't be assured that the thrust system is rightly designed until we launch the AUV and measure its speed. If the data of the propeller open-water test is available the thrust and the torque of the propeller at certain speed can be estimated. In addition, if the motor's torque characteristics are available the maximum speed saturated by the induced propeller torque can be estimated. In this paper an easy method of estimating maximum speed of an AUV will be shown even in the case of gaining additional resistance from appendages of unplanned at the design stage. Furthermore by the method, the thrust performance changes by adjusting the diameter of the propeller will be easily investigated.