How cavitation number shapes the kinetic mysteries of shoulder and tail cavitation in multi-medium vehicles

  • Hui Sun School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212001, China
  • Xianghong Huang School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212001, China
  • Zixuan Wang Shenyang Aircraft Design and Research Institute, Shenyang 110000, China
  • Luyue Xi School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212001, China
  • Cong Gao School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212001, China
  • Lijia Yang School of Naval Architecture & Ocean Engineering, Jiangsu University of Science and Technology, Zhenjiang 212001, China
Article ID: 2844
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/sv2844
Keywords: transmedia vehicle; hydrodynamic instability; bubble dynamics; asymmetric collapse; underwater launch stability

Abstract

The underwater launch stability of multi-medium vehicles is critically challenged by the dynamic evolution of shoulder and tail cavitation bubbles, which generate asymmetric loads and compromise water-exit success rates. To address this, we designed a novel unconstrained underwater launch platform integrated with 3D-printed modular vehicle models (flat/round heads) and multi-modal sensing systems (high-speed cameras at 16,000 fps + triaxial accelerometers), enabling quantitative visualization of cavitation dynamics under controlled cavitation numbers (σ = 0.62–2.51). Critical findings reveal: Cavitation number governs development asymmetry—lower σ compresses shoulder bubbles longitudinally (maximum L = 1.8D at σ = 0.62 vs. 1.2D at σ = 2.51), while higher σ promotes lateral expansion (W peaks at 0.82D). Collapse-induced instability mechanisms—pressure oscillations within bubbles trigger nonlinear collapses (30% higher collapse velocity at σ = 0.62), generating asymmetric forces that amplify yaw deviations by 15%–22%. Tail cavity dual-phase dynamics—at σ < 1.38, tail bubbles exhibit secondary detachment with umbrella-shaped collapse (velocity rebound ΔV = 1.2 m/s), whereas σ > 2.51 induces early necking at launch tubes, reducing effective thrust by 40%. These findings establish quantitative relationships between σ and bubble-mediated instability, providing design guidelines for cavitation-resistant vehicle profiles and adaptive launch control systems. The experimental framework offers a cost-effective alternative to prototype testing, reducing development costs by 60% through scalable 3D-printed models.

Published
2025-04-29
How to Cite
Sun, H., Huang, X., Wang, Z., Xi, L., Gao, C., & Yang , L. (2025). How cavitation number shapes the kinetic mysteries of shoulder and tail cavitation in multi-medium vehicles. Sound & Vibration, 59(2), 2844. https://doi.org/10.59400/sv2844
Issue
Vol. 59 No. 2 (2025)
Section
Article

Copyright (c) 2025 Author(s)

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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