Navy Air Cushions Vehicles (ACVs) Lift Fan Impeller Optimization

The lift fan system is an integral part of the hovercraft class of vehicles such as Ship-to-Shore Connector (SSC) and is used to pressurize the skirt and discharge air to the thrusters for steering. Although the lift fan impellers can be designed to achieve very high efficiency, the operational efficiency of the system on the boat drops significantly due to installation effects and other flow losses in coupling with the system. In this proposal CRAFT Tech will team up with Curtiss-Wright and design an advanced lift fan to meet the aggressive requirements set forth by the Navy. In doing so, improvements to aerodynamic efficiency and reduction in impeller noise will be weighed against blade installation and manufacturing considerations as well as construction material and coating decisions that influence procurement and service costs. CRAFT Tech will utilize its in-house high-fidelity physics based flow analysis tools to investigate the aerodynamic losses associated with the operation of the SSC lift fan system. Consequently, a formal design optimization study will be employed to improve the impeller blade design and related installation parts.