Numerical simulation of influence of ocean internal waves on hydrodynamic characteristics of underwater vehicles

  Objective  This paper aims to explore the hydrodynamic characteristics of underwater vehicles under the action of internal solitary waves.

  Methods  Based on the internal solitary wave mKdV theory under the strong stratification assumption, the incompressible Navier-Stokes （N-S） equation is discretized by the finite volume method. Combining the velocity entrance wave-making and overset grid methods, a numerical model of an underwater vehicle coupled with internal solitary waves in stratified flow is established. Through this model, the coupling process of internal solitary waves and fixed and suspended vehicles in different internal wave environments is simulated, and the variation law of the hydrodynamic load is obtained by numerical solution.

  Results  The amplitude of the force and moment of the underwater vehicle increases with the increase in wave amplitude. When the position of the fixed vehicle is close to the interface of two layers of fluid, it is more severely affected. When the suspended vehicle is close to the wave trough, the impact is more significant. The increase in the initial pitch angle will lead to a sharp increase in the horizontal force amplitude of the vehicle. In addition, the "falling depth" phenomenon occurs when a vehicle with initial speed is affected by the main wave and coda wave of an internal solitary wave.

  Conclusion  The results obtained in this paper have reference value for safe operation of underwater vehicles.