1. Dr. Othon Rediniotis (Advisor) Aerospace Engineering Department
USRG 2004 Poster Presentation Session August 6, 2004
DESIGN PROCESS FOR A TWO DIMENSIONAL HYDROFOIL WITH ACTUATED LEADING EDGE by
Ben Mertz
Dr. Othon Rediniotis (Advisor)
Aerospace Engineering Department

2. Research Objectives
The purpose of this research is to explore a method of active geometry reconfiguration of a boat’s propeller blade in order to maintain optimal performance at normal operation conditions.
Plans for summer:
Design test setup (balance system, water tunnel flow constriction, etc.) for future experiments.
Design hydrofoil with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuated leading edge.
Assemble and construct designed parts

3. Design Constraints Hydrofoil Constraints
Hydrofoil shape: Cross section of 3D blade at 75% of radius
Chord length: 4.56 inches
Span: 8 inches
Hinge for leading edge actuation at ¼ chord
Range of leading edge motion: -6° to 10° (relative to trailing edge)
SMA material: Nitinol (NiTi)
Testing Constraints
Maximum water test speed: 2 m/s
Range of angles of attack: -10° to 10°
Measured quantities: lift, drag, and water velocity

4. Balance Setup Load Cell (25 or 1 lb) Linear Air Bearing (~ 0 Friction)
Sting Clamp

5. Range of Motion of Leading Edge
10° 0°
-6°

6. (Measures displacement)
Assembled Hydrofoil
LVDT
(Measures displacement)
SMA Strip

7. Complete Assembly

8. State of Research Designed, constructed, and assembled balance
Designed leading and trailing edge sections of hydrofoil (met all design constraints)
Helped determine a method of measuring water flow speed
Determined that the use of a manometer was not practical for desired test speeds
Decided to use a wet/wet pressure transducer
Next Steps: Build hydrofoil, prepare water tunnel, finish control algorithms, and test hydrofoil

9. Acknowledgements
I would like to give a special thank you to my advisor, Dr. Othon Rediniotis as well as Dr. Hyoung Jun (post doc), and Jonathan Wasylyszyn (graduate student) who helped me in this project.
I would also like to thank the TiiMS and USRG program for providing me with the opportunity to be here for the summer.
Funding for this project is from the Office of Naval Research