We analyzed the performance of hubless rim propellers based on the number of blades, maintaining a fixed pitch ratio and expanded area ratio, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Thrust coefficient, torque coefficient and efficiency according to the number of blades were analyzed. In addition, the pressure distribution on the discharge and suction sides of the blade was analyzed. As the advance ratio increases, the thrust coefficient decreases. The highest thrust was shown when the advance ratio was lowest. For the three, four, five and six-blades, the torque coefficient tended to decrease as the advance ratio increased. In the case of seven and eight-blades, the torque coefficient tended to increase as the advance ratio increased. The maximum efficiency was found when the advance ratio was 0.8. When the three-blade, it showed high efficiency at all advance ratios. A high pressure distribution was observed at the leading edge of the discharge blade, and a low pressure distribution was observed at the trailing edge. Applying a hubless rim-driven thruster with the three-blade can generate higher thrust and increase work efficiency.

This study analyzed the flow inside floating seedling equipment for Scapharca subcrenata. Due to the aging society of fishing villages, it is impossible to continuously input the labor force. Therefore, it is necessary to improve efficiency. Scapharca subcrenata has high per capita consumption. It serves as an important aquatic food resource. Scapharca subcrenata culture tends to be highly dependent on the natural environment. Production of Scapharca subcrenata is difficult to predict with low stability. In the past, manpower directly installed bamboo nets in mudflats. The seedling equipment devised in this study is a floating type and can be freely moved on the sea according to the prediction of Scapharca subcrenata generation. The flow around the floating seedling equipment was analyzed by numerical analysis. The physical phenomena of the flow around the net inside the floating seedling equipment were visualized. As a result, the space between the floating seedling equipment and the bottom net and the space between the net groups showed a lower flow rate than the inlet flow rate. It is expected that the low flow rate of the floating seedling equipment will have a positive effect on the attachment of Scapharca subcrenata.

This study analyzed the duct characteristics of hubless rim-driven propeller (RDP) used in underwater robots. In the previous study, flow visualization experiments were performed with an advancing ratio of 0.2 to 1. The vortex at the front of the duct increased in strength while maintaining its size as the advancing ratio decreased. Therefore, it is necessary to study the optimization of the duct shape. Conventional propeller thrusters use acceleration/deceleration ducts to increase their efficiency. However, unlike conventional propellers, it is impossible to apply to airfoil acceleration/deceleration ducts due to the RDP structure. In this study, duct wake flow characteristics, thrust force, and efficiency according to the duct shape of RDP were analyzed using numerical analysis techniques. Duct design is limited and six duct shapes were designed. As a result, an optimized duct shape was designed considering duct wake flow characteristics, thrust force, and efficiency. The shape that the outlet width of the RDP was kept constant until the end of the duct showed higher thrust force and efficiency.

This study analyzed the wake characteristics of the rim-driven propeller (RDP) used in an underwater robot. For underwater robots to perform specific missions, not only propulsion characteristics but also wake characteristics must be considered. In this study, a blade was designed based on NAC 0012 with a symmetrical cross-section. The RDP was hubless with three or four blades. The influence of both the free water surface and the bottom was considered, and the wake was measured using a particle image velocimetry in the advance ratio of 0.2 to 1. Model 1 showed symmetrical wakes in the entire advance ratio section. Model 2 showed asymmetric wakes due to the influence of the free water surface and the bottom at low advance ratio.