High Reynolds Number Studies in the Wake of a Submarine Model

Results are presented from submarine wake studies conducted in Princeton University¹s High Reynolds Number Test Facility (HRTF). Compressed air is used as a working fluid enabling Reynolds numbers based on length of up to $10^8$, about 1/5 of full scale. Measurements at Reynolds numbers up to $3 \times 10^6$ have been completed, and show that, for the model condition without fins, the wake mean velocity was self-similar at locations 6 and 9 diameters downstream. Also, PIV at Reynolds numbers near $10^4$ showed that when the yaw angle was varied the sail-tip and sail-hull junction vortices increased in magnitude emphasizing the importance of fully understanding the flow characteristics of a maneuvering submarine.