Motion characteristics simulations of supercavitating vehicle based on a three-dimensional cavity topology algorithm.

• A three-dimensional cavity topology model for dynamic simulations is established. • The planning model of supercavitating vehicles is improved for more degrees of freedom. • A numerical algorithm to simulate supercavitating vehicles in three-dimensional space is developed. • Evolution of cavity shape and dynamic characteristics of vehicles are compared by fins deflection. The maneuvering motion of a supercavitating vehicle pitching and yawing inevitably occurs when navigating in three-dimensional space. In order to give some insights into design of underwater vehicles, the maneuvering motion in the longitudinal and horizontal planes is investigated in this paper. Considering the definition of multi-body coordinate frames, a three-dimensional cavity topology model is proposed to predict the development of the shape of cavity and interact with the supercavitating vehicle in the simulations. Based on the cavity model, an improved planning model is established to calculate the necessary critical parameters of the planning force. According to the mathematical model above, a numerical algorithm is developed to simulate the maneuvering motion of the supercavitating vehicle. The higher algorithm efficiency is validated by the relative error of 10% order of magnitude and the more stable performance. The real-time scene figures and time-varying curves of the dynamic characteristics are obtained through the developed algorithm to study the influence of fins deflection on the maneuvering motion. The developed algorithm is validated to some extent to be a better alternative than the empirical one and provides a new method for analyses of simulation results of supercavitating vehicles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]