Investigation of Reynolds Number Scale Effects on Propeller Tip Vortex Cavitation and Propeller-Induced Hull Pressure Fluctuations

A two-dimensional viscous vortex model with a cylindrical cavity at its center is applied to investigate Reynolds number scale effects on propeller tip vortex cavitation. First, the behaviour of small isolated cavities inside the viscous core are studied. In order to study Reynolds number scale effects, the viscous core radius of the vortex is varied. Thereafter, the investigation is extended to the cavitating tip vortex of a propeller as a whole. A generic scenario is set up which is representative for real propeller flows. It can be shown that apart from the viscous core radius, the blade load and the presence of sheet cavitation influence hull pressure fluctuations due to tip vortex cavitation in a significant manner.