Prediction Of Propeller Blade Pressure Distribution With A Panel Method

Panel methods and their underlying theory are reviewed with regard to hydrodynamic analysis of propeller performance. Green's identity is used to convert the differential Laplace's equation into an integral equation. The velocity potential on the surface of the lifting body can be expressed by integrating the potential induced by source/doublet singularities distributed over the surface. The numerical discretizations of the boundary surface, singularity distributions, the integral equation, and the formulation of the panel method are discussed. The advantages of the application of panel methods in viscous/inviscid interactive procedures and propeller blade design are outlined. Results of propeller blade analysis with the panel method are presented, comparing the prediction of the VSAERO panel method and a vortex lattice method with experimental data. The panel method, which includes consideration of propeller hub effects, gives predictions in good agreement with experimental data. Keywords: Marine propellers hydrodynamic characteristics. (edc).