The Effect of Nose Radius on the Cavitation-Inception Characteristics of Two-Dimensional Hydrofoils

Abstract : Results of an analytical investigation of the cavitation properties of modified marine propeller-type hydrofoils are presented. In particular, dependence of the critical cavitation number and the cavitation-free, angle-of- incidence range on changes in the leading-edge thickness is determined. It is shown that within a narrow range of changes of leading-edge thickness, a delay in inception is possible, depending on the design problem under consideration. An increase in critical inception speed, accompanied by a sacrifice in some of the cavitation-free, angle-of-incidence range occurs for a small increase in the leading-edge thickness. A range of thickness changes exists for which beneficial results can be obtained.