Drag reduction design and research of high-speed amphibious vehicle’s deformable track wheels

ABSTRACT

In this study, the resistance characteristics of the amphibious vehicle in the transitional stage are studied. A deformable track wheel is designed and its effect on the amphibious vehicle’s resistance is studied. The numerical calculation method based on the RANS solver and the towing test method is used to analyse the hydrodynamic performance of the amphibious vehicle. Based on the comparison of the vehicle model with no wheel, the influence of wheels on additional resistance at the groove fault is studied. The inclination angles of the front and rear deformation wheels are studied respectively. The influence and principle of the track wheel configuration on drag are analysed and expounded in terms of pressure distribution, water climbing and spray on the wheel grooves, and the hull attitude. Finally, an adjustment strategy of the deformable configuration wheel in the transition stage is proposed.

KEYWORDS:

• Amphibious vehicle
• hydrodynamic performance
• deformable track wheel
• numerical approach
• resistance characteristics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).