Propulsor Design and Propulsor/Hull Integration

Many complex issues face the propulsor designer.  They need an accurate knowledge of propulsor inflow conditions, and they need to predict how propulsor placement impacts overall efficiency.  If multiple components are present, designers need to optimize the overall system whether than individual components.  To be successful, they need to understand how upstream components affect downstream, and how stationary ones affect rotating ones.  They need to perform design trade-offs of detail shape changes such as propeller and turbine tips, center bodies, cowlings, ducts, and nacelles.  They may even want to study the performance of unusual or advanced concept propulsor alternatives. 

AFT has used its RANS capabilities to solve many of these difficult design problems.  We have assisted designers with multi-component optimization, best placement, propulsor/hull integration, and advanced concept propulsion.  We have also performed a number of propulsor wake studies to aid stealthy design.  Click on a menu item at left to view these and other examples of AFT’s propulsor work.