Research on the Excitation Force and Radiated Noise of an Ice-Class Propeller in Ice Blockage and Cavitation Flow

Objectives When ice-class propellers operate in ice environments, ice blocks sliding along the hull into the inflow cause non-uniform inflow, leading to cavitation, excitation, and radiated noise. Methods Based on the hybrid LES/RANS method and the FW-H equation, this study investigates the hydrodynamic performance, excitation force, radiated noise, and cavitation performance of an ice-class propeller under ice blockage and cavitation flow conditions. Results The research shows that the numerical method used in this study achieves good accuracy, with a hydrodynamic error within 3.0%. Under low cavitation numbers, severe cavitation causes hydrodynamic coefficients to barely increase as the blockage distance decreases. When the propeller blades are behind the ice blockage, the cavitation coverage area increases sharply, leading to an increase in excitation force and radiated noise. An increase in the advance coefficient and a decrease in blockage distance result in a larger cavitation coverage area and excitation force behind the blockage, thereby increasing the radiated noise level. Conclusion This study provides a theoretical basis for the anti-cavitation design and excitation force suppression of ice-class propellers.