Limitations on 2D Super-cavitating Hydrofoil Performance

Classical super-cavitating hydrofoil performance predictions have been based on linearised potential theory for zero cavitation number. More rationalised predictions of super-cavitating hydrofoil performance have been evaluated using a non-linear boundary element formulation. Comparisons are made between flat-plate, circular-arc, and NACA 4-digit camber line wetted surface profiles. Limitations of super-cavitating foil performance are defined in terms of minimum cavity length to avoid instability and the minimum cavity clearance from the hydrofoil wetted surface. The dependence of these limitations on hydrofoil wetted surface profile, incidence and cavitation number are derived