Unsteady Tip Leakage Vortex Cavitation Originating From the Tip Clearance of an Oscillating Hydrofoil

Abstract

Tip leakage vortex cavitations originating from the tip clearance of an oscillating hydrofoil were observed experimentally. It was found that the delay between the unsteady and the steady-state results of the tip leakage vortex cavitation increase, and that the maximum cavity size decreases when the reduced oscillating frequency increases. To simulate the unsteady characteristics of tip leakage vortex cavitation, a simple calculation based on slender body approximation was conducted taking into account the effect of cavity growth. The calculation and experimental results of the cavity volume fluctuation were found to be in qualitative agreement.