Transient Hydroelastic Analysis of Pump Performance of an SES-Waterjet System

Surface Effect Ships (SES) have great potential to increase the speed and cargo capacity of modern surface vessels. Waterjets are typically used for propulsion of SES because of the geometric constraints and its ability to absorb high thrust and power requirements. The objective of this paper is to investigate the transient hydroelastic performance of waterjet propulsion systems. The goal is to advance the fundamental understanding of the transient hydrodynamic and structural dynamic performance of waterjet propulsion systems with consideration for non-uniform inflow and transient fluid cavitation at heavily loaded operating conditions. Special attention is given to investigating the effects of flow non-uniformity and fluid cavitation on the system performance, as well as the structural dynamic performance of the rotor and stator blades.