Feasibility Demonstration of Fan-wing Thruster System Running in Underwater Environment

Fan-wing thruster is previously used on the fan-wing aircraft, and it can help the aircraft achieve short-range take off and landing. In this paper, the fan-wing is used underwater. The feasibility of the underwater fan-wing is demonstrated in three ways. In theory analysis, the mechanism of the underwater fan-wing is simply discussed by Bernoulli equation. In CFD simulations, the flow details of the underwater fan-wing are analyzed and compared with those the air. In experiment of the real underwater fan-wing, the downward thrust and power of the fan-wing are measured. In all of those three aspects, the underwater fan-wing is demonstrated to be feasible. Besides, three ways of potential usage of the underwater fan-wing is also discussed. It can be used on the underwater vehicles to make up a buoyancy regulation system, to replace the tail rudder, and to work as the main thruster.