Experimental characterization of collective and cyclic pitch propulsion for underwater vehicle

A new design of a propulsion device is a Collective and Cyclic Pitch Propeller, CCPP. The principle of the CCPP is similar to a helicopter main rotor. As such, the propeller operates as a combination between a propulsion device and a directional manipulator. It can generate side thrust to provide directional control, in addition to axial thrust variation, which can be generated on a normal controllable pitch propeller. The key component of the propeller is a swash plate, which allows the angle of the propeller blades to be cyclically controlled. This paper presents the performance of the CCPP. The performance of the propeller was assessed under various conditions to construct the relationships between the RPM, pitch angles of propeller blades and axial and side thrusts. The results were used to improve a simulation program of its operation and control system of an underwater vehicle.