• International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.55-65
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• 2017

Underwater torpedo has control fin with very low aspect ratio due to launching from limited size of cylindrical torpedo tube. If the aspect ratio of control fin of underwater vehicle is very low three-dimensional flow around control fin largely reduces control forces. In this study, the end plate was applied to reduce the three-dimensional flow effects of partially movable control fin of underwater vehicle. Through numerical simulations the flow field around control fin was examined with and without end plate for different flap angles. The pressure, vorticity, lift and torque on the control fin were analyzed and compared to experiments. The comparison have shown a reasonable agreement between numerical and experimental results and the effect of end plate on a low aspect ratio control fin. When the end plate was attached to the movable control fin, the lift increased and the actuator shaft torque did not significantly change. As this means less consumption of the actuator shaft torque compared to the control fin that has the same control force, the inner actuator capacity can be reduced and energy consumption can be saved. Considering this, it is expected to be effectively applied to the control fin design of underwater vehicles such as torpedoes.

• Journal of the Korea Society for Simulation
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.23-33
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• 2019

A sub-munition which has low aspect ratio does not have flight stability and control of drag force under free-fall condition. In order to satisfy those problems, fin, which is called grid-fin, is designed instead of conventional flight fins and adapted to the sub-munition. The base model of the sub-munition is firstly set and numerical simulation of the model is conducted under transonic condition that is free-fall range of the sub-munition. Wind test is secondly performed to verify the simulation result. The result shows that grid fin adapted sub-munition has high drag force, but the flight stability is still needed. In order to enhance the flight stability, two additional grid-fins are designed which modify web-thickness and numerical simulations of modified models are conducted. As the results, the thinnest web-thickness grid-fin has the highest flight stability and still maintains high drag coefficient. Based on these results, design of grid-fin adapted sub-munition is completed, the path trajectory of the sub-munition can be predicted with acquired aerodynamic datum and it is expected that grid fin can be used to various shape of the flight vehicle and bomb.