high speed rudder

Discussion in 'Surface Drives' started by stupidbaker57, Oct 18, 2011.

  1. stupidbaker57
    Joined: Jan 2011
    Posts: 67
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: Lakeville Ma

    stupidbaker57 Junior Member

    While my shaft and tube are being machined, I will be building my rudder. The style is what I would call a dagger style that is normally found on inboard hydos in the Y and T classes.
    I haven't been able to get up close enought to see one, so I was wondering about the shape as it slices the water.
    Is the rudders' leading edge sharp and trailing edge rounded over? (like an airplane wing in reverse, sorta) or would it be the other way?

    I have recieved my plans today and the boat choise is a Hal Kelly design called the Ben Hur.
    I chose the cab over design since the last 24" of the boat will have the bike engine in it. The design will allow me to use my weight to get it on plane as I'll be further forward than a conventional hydro.
     
  2. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    Not sure about your exact design's specifications, but Google up NACA foils.

    It's an airplane wing (well, two of them- there is no flat side) going the same way they do on the airplane.

    The rudder below would be traveling to the left of the page if it were moving in the correct direction.

    [​IMG]

    You might find this link very handy for visualizing the process...

    http://www.fastcomposites.ca/publications/WhitePapers/BetterSpadeRudder.pdf
     
  3. baeckmo
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 1,652
    Likes: 668, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 1165
    Location: Sweden

    baeckmo Hydrodynamics

    Your rudder will operate in a ventilated state. Here, the NACA profiles are not suitable, you should use a wedge profile instead.
     
  4. DMacPherson
    Joined: Mar 2005
    Posts: 139
    Likes: 28, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 209
    Location: Durham, NH USA

    DMacPherson Senior Member

    I concur with baeckmo. There are two issues here. First is that at high speed, a foil shape will likely have separation at (or near) its thickest point. You will want something that promotes clean separation at its aft end (like a wedge). This is analogous to a transom stern on a planing craft. The other issue is that if the rudder is aft of the hull (versus being under the hull), it is "ventilated" (as baeckmo points out). So, again you will want something that works with this "base ventilation" (the base being the flat "transom" of the rudder), and again a wedge-type shape is suggested. However, a true wedge is often not ideal, and a "parabolic wedge" can provide a better overall performance across a wider range of speeds. It still has the thick base, but its section shape is somewhat rounder at the nose, and gets thicker more quickly before reaching the base.
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
    Posts: 16,786
    Likes: 1,711, Points: 123, Legacy Rep: 2031
    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    A wedge is the standard for high speed rudders. Naca foils will cavitate and the boat will loose steering.
     
  6. DMacPherson
    Joined: Mar 2005
    Posts: 139
    Likes: 28, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 209
    Location: Durham, NH USA

    DMacPherson Senior Member

    Cavitation actually has been shown to have very little effect on a rudder's lift-drag performance (even of a foil type) until you get well beyond about 10 degrees angle of attack. It is bad for lots of other things, of course, and would have consequences for applications requiring high maneuverability, but probably not so much here.
     
  7. baeckmo
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 1,652
    Likes: 668, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 1165
    Location: Sweden

    baeckmo Hydrodynamics

    Principally, the parabolic profile has a lower resistance at zero aoa, as DMacP mentions. However, it is more sensitive to shape imperfections close to the nose, which may result in sudden changes of side force. The classical wedge gives a better "predictability" in rudder response, and of course it is easier to produce than a parabola.
     
  8. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    Of course, I did not understand the op's boat design and concur with everything above as well.
     
  9. stupidbaker57
    Joined: Jan 2011
    Posts: 67
    Likes: 4, Points: 8, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: Lakeville Ma

    stupidbaker57 Junior Member

    Jeezzzzzzzz, You guys are getting kinda technical, huh? I was just thinking of making the rudder out of a piece of 1/8 inch aluminum (maybe thicker is needed) and the profile would be that of the inboard hydros I've seen (but not real close up). I was just wondering if I should round the leading edge and sharpen the trailing edge.
    Remember, this is a trial and error experimental boat. Very low cost jst to see if it can be done.
     
  10. CatBuilder

    CatBuilder Previous Member

    Depends a lot on your application. Take a look at this link for pictures:

    http://www.fastelectrics.net/rudders.php

    There are a bunch of schools of thought on the subject, which is why people are getting technical. You just have to pick one.
     
    1 person likes this.
  11. baeckmo
    Joined: Jun 2009
    Posts: 1,652
    Likes: 668, Points: 113, Legacy Rep: 1165
    Location: Sweden

    baeckmo Hydrodynamics

    What's the point in repeating other peoples trials and errors? Your rudder has to have a specific bending strength, which is in fact the primary dimensioning factor regarding thickness. In order to get the required strength, the wedge (two straight sides and a base) is far better than a flat plate.

    To get equal strength with a flat plate, it has to be so thick, that there is a problem shaping the nose correctly, and even with a "good" shape the steering is highly non-linear. So if simplicity WITH function is what you seek, go for a wedge!
     
  12. Frosty

    Frosty Previous Member

    A flat alluminium plate will do you fine. If it doesnt keep a straight course and wanders use a wedge.
     
  13. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 5,371
    Likes: 258, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3380
    Location: Italy (Garda Lake) and Croatia (Istria)

    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    What are the planform dimensions of the rudder, and what is the max. boat speed?
     
  14. PetterM
    Joined: Sep 2004
    Posts: 211
    Likes: 9, Points: 28, Legacy Rep: 201
    Location: Norway

    PetterM Senior Member

    Do you have any design papers/rules for designing ventilated wedge and parabolic rudders?

     

  15. daiquiri
    Joined: May 2004
    Posts: 5,371
    Likes: 258, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3380
    Location: Italy (Garda Lake) and Croatia (Istria)

    daiquiri Engineering and Design

    Check this paper:
    D.L. Gregory - "Force and Moment Characteristics of Six High-Speed Rudders for Use on High-Performance Craft" : http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?Location=U2&doc=GetTRDoc.pdf&AD=AD0772098

    With respect to the data given in the previous reference, the following paper implies that blade aeration can decrease rudder's lift coefficient by up to (approximately) 75% - V. T. Shavchenko, "Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Rudders Operating in Air-Sea Interface": http://ftp.rta.nato.int/public//PubF...$MP-015-17.PDF
     
    1 person likes this.
Loading...
Forum posts represent the experience, opinion, and view of individual users. Boat Design Net does not necessarily endorse nor share the view of each individual post.
When making potentially dangerous or financial decisions, always employ and consult appropriate professionals. Your circumstances or experience may be different.