An optimization model incorporating clash free mechanism for design of AUVs

This paper presents an optimization model that incorporates a clash free mechanism for design of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles/Gliders (AUVs/Gs). The present model allows the designer to pack the internal components satisfying the stability and buoyancy criteria and integration of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD, and this integration of CAD+CFD with the optimization computes a hydro-dynamically efficient hull form. The Genetic Algorithm (GA) is used in finding the optimum within given range of design parameters. Our optimization model is structured in two tiers: 1) hydrodynamic drag, and 2) L_GB; and both are minimized. The hydrodynamic drag is evaluated using a CFD software (Shipflow*™) and the drag computation is integrated with CAD definition model implemented in Matlab**™. The clash free mechanism deals with packing and minimization of the distance (L_GB) between Center of Gravity (COG) and Center of Buoyancy (COB). Finally, we present a design example of USS Dallas RC toy AUV for a particular velocity of 0.5 m/s. Our results show that the implementation of the present model results into a low drag hull form with compact and tight packing and higher stability.