Abstract
A jet stream applied tangential to a curved surface in fluid increases lift force by strengthening circulation around the surface and this phenomenon is known as the Coanda effect. Many experimental and numerical studies have been performed on the Coanda effect and the results found to be useful in various fields of aerodynamics. Recently, preliminary studies on Coanda control surface are in progress to look for practical application in marine hydrodynamics since various control surfaces are used to control behaviors of ships and offshore structures. In the present study, the performance of a Coanda control surface with different geometries of the jet injection nozzle was surveyed to assess applicability to ship rudders. A numerical simulation was carried out to study flow characteristics around a section of a horn type rudder subjected to a tangential jet stream. The RANS equations, discretized by a cell-centered finite volume method were used for this computation after verification by comparing to the experimental data available. Special attentions have been given to the sensitivity of the lift performance of a Coanda rudder to the location of the slit (outlet) and intake of the gap between the horn and rudder surface at the various angles of attack. It is found that the location of the water intake is important in enhancing the lift because the gap functions as a conduit of nozzle generating a jet sheet on the rudder surface.