Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) mesh independency technique for a propeller characteristics in open water condition

This paper numerically investigated mesh refinement method in order to obtain a mesh independent solution for a marine propeller working in open water condition.Marine propeller blade geometries, especially of LNG carriers, are very complicated and determining the hydrodynamic performance of these propellers using experimental work is very expensive, time consuming and has many difficulties in calibration of marine laboratory facilities. The present research workhas focused on the hydrodynamic propeller coefficients of a LNG carrier Tanaga class such as Kt, Kq and η, with respect to the different advance coefficient (j). Finally, the results of numerical simulation in different mesh density that have been calculated based on RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stocks) equations, were compared with existing experimental results, followed by analysis and discussion sections. As a result the maximum hydrodynamic propeller efficiency occurred when j=0.84

Design and validation of an adaptive CubeSat transmitter system

CubeSat in low earth orbit (LEO) primarily uses an amateur radio-band transmitter with a fixed specification. Nevertheless, the LEO satellite does not have an orbital velocity that equates to one sidereal day. Therefore, the ground station antenna views the satellite at different elevation angles which result in varied propagation path lengths. In this paper, an adaptive transmitter is designed to optimise the LEO satellite communication link and overcome the variability of the propagation path length issue due to different ground station elevation angles. A satellite communication link and operation analyses are performed to identify the relationship between the variation of the elevation angle so as to determine the optimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), improve data rate and increase the power efficiency of an adaptive link. Based on the results, a model is developed to control the adaptive configuration. The SNR and power consumption performance of the developed transmitter is compared with commercial transmitters. The results indicate that the transmitter output power is adjustable from 0.5 W to 1 W, and the data rate is selectable between 9600 bps and 19,200 bps. Compared to other CubeSat transmitters, the developed adaptive transmitter demonstrates more than 20% improvement in terms of SNR optimisation, additional throughput and power reduction

Design of an adaptive CubeSat transmitter for achieving optimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

CubeSat technology has opened the opportunity to conduct space-related researches at a relatively low cost. Typical approach to maintain an affordable cubeSat mission is to use a simple communication system, which is based on UHF link with fixed-transmit power and data rate. However, CubeSat in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) does not have relative motion with the earth rotation, resulting in variable propagation path length that affects the transmission signal. A transmitter with adaptive capability to select multiple sets of data rate and radio frequency (RF) transmit power is proposed to improve and optimise the link. This paper presents the adaptive UHF transmitter design as a solution to overcome the variability of the propagation path. The transmitter output power is adjustable from 0.5W to 2W according to the mode of operations and satellite power limitations. The transmitter is designed to have four selectable modes to achieve the optimum signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and efficient power consumption based on the link budget analysis and satellite requirement. Three prototypes are developed and tested for space-environment conditions such as the radiation test. The Total Ionizing Dose measurements are conducted in the radiation test done at Malaysia Nuclear Agency Laboratory. The results from this test have proven that the adaptive transmitter can perform its operation with estimated more than seven months in orbit. This radiation test using gamma source with 1.5krad exposure is the first one conducted for a satellite program in Malaysia

RANS simulation of the viscous flow around hull of LNG

This research work describes the hydrodynamic effects of lateral and vertical forces on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) ship hull which are produced due to the effect of the restricted water by using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) techniques. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanker often travels through shallow waters with visible banks for its operations. Manoeuvring of vessel in restricted water is relatively difficult and exposed to higher risk level. Travelling the ship near the bank may result in generating hydrodynamic loads such as sway force and yaw moment on ship hull besides changing velocity and pressure contours around the hull and the generation of asymmetric flow around the ship, hence may lead to potentially dangerous situations. In this research work the behaviour of a LNG carrier in confined water where there is a restriction in water depth and in waterway width has been studied experimentally and numerically. Influence of hydrodynamic forces and moments on the hull ship and wake pattern behind ship hull has been investigated using CFD. The numerical results have been validated by comparison with model testing in Marine Technology Center (MTC) of University Technology Malaysia (UTM)