Objectives Composite materials offer advantages such as low weight, corrosion resistance and a high damping ratio. To enhance the overall performance of underwater vehicles, this study investigates the characteristics of a composite rotor pump-jet propulsor.

Methods Firstly, by combining computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the finite element method (FEM), a two-way fluid-structure interaction method and a flow-induced noise prediction method were established based on FW-H equation for the composite rotor pump-jet propulsor. The open water performance, structural response and flow-induced noise characteristics of the composite rotor pump-jet propulsor were then analyzed under various operating conditions.

Results The results show that with the increase in advance speed coefficient, the structural deformation and stress and strain levels of the composite pump-jet propulsor rotor decrease. The overall sound pressure level of flow-induced noise first decreases and then increases, reaching a minimum of 87.60 dB at J=0.8. Compared with a traditional aluminum alloy pump-jet propulsor, the rotor deformation of the model-scale composite pump-jet propulsor is minimal. It does not affect the hydrodynamic shape or cause significant changes in hydrodynamic performance. The flow-induced noise of composite pump-jet propulsor is reduced slightly at specific frequencies, and the overall reduction in sound pressure level is also relatively limited.

Conclusion  These research findings provide a theoretical basis for the comprehensive performance optimization of pump-jet propulsors, including weight reduction and noise control design.