The thesis focuses on the development and analysis of a morphing system for a boat propeller, aiming to increase the critical cavitation speed. Cavitation, a phenomenon that can impair the performance and durability of propellers, occurs when local pressure drops below the vapor pressure, leading to the formation of vapor bubbles that collapse, causing noise and damage.
The project involves designing a propeller with variable geometry, capable of dynamically adapting to different operating conditions. By using smart materials, the propeller blades can change their shape to optimize hydrodynamic flow and delay the onset of cavitation.
The thesis includes numerical modeling and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations to evaluate the effectiveness of different morphing configurations and compare them to a traditional propeller.
Contacts: Francesco Braghin