Simulation of Vertical Water Exit of Rotor Unmanned Aerial/Underwater Vehicle Based on STAR-CCM+

Abstract

Rotor unmanned aerial/underwater vehicle is a kind of novel intelligent equipment in recent years, which can realize autonomous voyage both in the air and underwater. However, the complex motion when crossing the water surface brings huge challenges to its structure design and motion control. Instead of using the experimental method or the traditional numerical method, this paper simulates the vertical water exit of a rotor unmanned aerial/underwater vehicle based on STAR-CCM+. By analysing the simulation results, it is found there will be a certain impact, which is positively correlated to the speed, on the rotor unmanned aerial/underwater vehicle exactly when the free surface breaks and water detaches from the vehicle. Consequently, we propose a segmented water exit mode, which may enhance the stability of the vehicle through the process of water exit.