Theoretical And Experimental Investigation Of Arbitrary Aspect Ratio Supercavitating Hydrofoils Operating Near The Free Water Surface

Abstract: The existing two-dimensional theory for the characteristics of supercavitating hydrofoils operating at zero cavitation number is modified to include the effects of camber, aspect ratio, and depth of submersion. For a comparison with the theory, two aspect-ratio-1 hydrofoils, a flat plate and one with a cambered lower surface, were tested by operating them near the water surface so that their upper surfaces were completely ventilated. The data obtained verified the theory to within 3 percent. Some experimental data are also presented for the models operating at nonzero cavitation number for both air and water-vapor-filled cavities.