Maneuverability design and analysis of an autonomous underwater vehicle for deep-sea hydrothermal plume survey

SIA is developing a new type asymmetric AUV (SIA-4500AUV) for the purpose of deep-sea hydrothermal plume survey. To ensure the navigational safety in seamount area, the AUV is designed as fish-like vertical flat main hull to improve the maneuverability in vertical plane. This study focused on maneuverability design and analysis of this new type AUV by CFD simulation and captive model experiments. First, we introduce the NACA-like main hull line design, rudder design, and thruster location design by CFD simulation. And then, to understand the performance of the new AUV, captive model experiments in wind tunnel and rotating arm basin were conducted to get all hydrodynamics for maneuverability research, and in another hand, we computing the hydrodynamics of the AUV by CFD simulation to compared with experiments, the compared results show that CFD simulation can work well in the hydrodynamics performance research for this new type asymmetric body AUV. The design of asymmetric AUV is a new try compared to axisymmetric body in AUV design field. The maneuverability design and analysis by captive model experiments and CFD simulation will provide a helpful reference to other new type asymmetric AUV.