Paddle wheel thrust

Is there any analysis software available to measure paddle wheel thrust?Variables:
-Size paddles
-Number of paddles
-Axis rotation speed
Result = total thrust/flow (if using flow meter)
Thanks

 

There is a whole section on paddle wheel design in Hydrodynamics in Ship Design, Vol 2 Chapter 71 by Saunders.

http://openlibrary.org/books/OL6242487M/Hydrodynamics_in_ship_design.

 

Wasn't there a discussion about paddle wheels design on this forum, a couple of yrs ago? With good reference papers from some german authors, if I recall it correctly...

 

Found it: http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/hy...installation-how-size-propellers-40540-5.html

 

Thanks for that additional info Daiquiri. It's nice to see a hand-written resource like that.

There is a bit of renewed interest in historical riverboats over the winter as low water conditions on the US Mississippi & Missouri Rivers have allowed archeologists & historians to examine sunken boats. In most cases the main planks are quite well preserved. These are all older boats from the steam power era. Below is an example.

http://kplr11.com/2012/08/17/pictures-drought-reveals-sunken-steam-ship/

Compared to today's boats, these steam boats were quite dangerous. The steam engines could explode and catch the whole boat on fire. Or, as in this case, they could run aground.

I'm sure ocean going steamers had their share of problems too.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

I have some software for paddle propulsion, having built a sidewheeler a few years ago, and fluid dynamics is a large part of my day job. Now in the process of building articulated wheels for the steamer this spring, these arrangements can provide propulsion efficiency that is close to that which is available for screw propellers.