Influence of thrust fins with different installation angles on open water performance of podded propulsor

The hydrodynamic performance of podded propulsors was simulated by means of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The MRF model was used to simulate the average effect of interaction. The thrust coefficient, torque coefficient, open water efficiency and lateral force as a function of advance coefficient were calculated, and the open water performance curves were obtained. The podded propulsors with thrust fins was proposed. The hydrodynamic performance of podded propulsors with thrust fins at different installation angles (0°, ±2°, ±4°) was calculated, then the result was compared with the performance of normal one, meanwhile the thrusts of propulsion systems were analyzed. In the end, by observing the pressure distribution of strut with pod and induced velocity before the thrust fins, the influence of thrust fins on the podded propulsor was analyzed. The results shows that the hydrodynamic performance of podded propulsors is improved after installation of thrust fins, and appropriate change of the installation angle of thrust fins makes the improvement more obvious. At the same time, the lateral force of propulsor is optimized, and the directional stability of ship is improved.