EFFECT OF RUDDER DESIGN ON HYDRODYNAMIC FORCES OF AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER GLIDER

An autonomous underwater glider (AUG) is a vehicle with fixed-wing. They move
through the ocean by changing the buoyancy to follow a “Saw-tooth” pattern of
motion. In this project, a part of AUGs which is rudder design is studied. Specifically,
the relationship between rudder design and lift and drag of hydrodynamic forces is
investigated. The comparative study is done between conventional rudder and
schilling/ fishtail rudder. For the modelling works, SOLIDWORKS is used to create
the model. ANSYS code "Fluent” is used to do analysis on hydrodynamic performance
such as lift force of AUGs. The numerical simulation is done at various angle of attack
from 0°- 20°. The result from the simulation shown that the fishtail rudder has higher
lift coefficients and can produce better maneuvering performance compare to
conventional rudder.