Hydrodynamic performance calculation and motion simulation of an AUV with appendages

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is considered as a possible effective tool to evaluate the performance of the autonomic underwater vehicle (in short, AUV) such as a body resistance, rudder force, motion in water. Focused on the hydrodynamic performance, the resistance and oblique sailing performance were simulated by CFD technique and planar motion mechanism test was also simulated by dynamic mesh technique. The major hydrodynamic coefficients were obtained, which were used to satisfy the need of a six-degree of freedom motion equation of the AUV with appendages. Based on this, the motion simulation platform of the AUV appendages was established. The maneuverability performance was simulated in the horizontal and vertical plane. In order to evaluate the influence of appendages on the motion performance of the AUV, simulation of the AUV with appendages and without appendages were compared.