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Vessel Performance

A Systems Approach For Best Outcomes

From the standpoint of performance simulation, a Vessel-Propulsor-Drive system model is shared by all vessel types. Vessel analysis options are extensive in HydroComp’s NavCad software, and employ highly-efficient simplified-physics models for streamlined workflow and high-fidelity results. Analyses for the Vessel component in NavCad’s system model includes bare hull resistance, hull-propulsor interaction (such as wake fraction and thrust deduction), added resistance for appendages and environmental influences, and life-cycle contributors such as hull fouling.

Hull-Propulsor Interaction

PropElements shines as a companion tool for effective analysis of propeller performance. As a high-fidelity, yet highly-efficient propeller performance computational solver, the tool can be closely-coupled with CFD for efficient hull-propulsor analysis.

Catamaran Simulation

Catamarans can be easily modeled in NavCad by simply providing hull separation for the entered demi-hull data. In addition to hulls complying with the data set of the 40+ bare-hull methods in NavCad – both displacement and planing – NavCad also offers support for special types, such as SWATH, long-slender cats, and new asymmetrical planing catamaran model with optional foil-assist. Our proprietary Analytical Distributed Volume Method (ADVM) for ship resistance offers designers and naval architects a unique capability to predict catamaran resistance via a numerical method.

Push/Tow Vessel Simulation

The strength and flexibility of NavCad’s system model makes it the ideal performance analysis and design tool for virtually any type of vessel, including vessels pushing barge trains, towing box barges, pulling nets, or moving large ships around the harbor. The equilibrium torque propulsion analysis option provides prediction of maximum pushing/towing thrust given the vessel, propulsor, and engine specifications. Assessment of proper propeller pitch for avoidance of an overload condition or heavy cavitation all starts with this proper calculation of towpull and engine RPM.

Success for Submersibles

The Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) industries utilize our tools for successful design and analysis of the propulsion suite for their vehicles. Better AUV/ROV hydrodynamic performance leads to reduced power requirements and better use of a fixed battery budget, allowing for increased power to sensors and delivering additional time for data collection.

Hydrodynamic and Propulsion System Design Tools

NavCad by Hydrocomp

NavCad®

The flagship framework for entire resistance, propulsion, mission profile, and optimized performance design tasks

PropElements by HydroComp

PropElements®

HydroComp’s “design for performance” propeller tool to customize and optimize a propeller for a specific ship or vessel type

PropCad by HydroComp

PropCad®

The industry’s most popular commercial tool for propeller “design for manufacture”

PropExpert by Hydrocomp

PropExpert®

This “propeller application sizing” tool is the favorite of marine propeller, engine, and drive companies from main-office OEMs through their distribution pipeline

HydroCourses

HYDROCourses is the newest innovation from HydroComp, Inc.

Our new HYDROCourses were designed to provide clear and consistent content and to facilitate easy-to understand delivery of typically complex topics. These courses will sharpen your existing proficiencies - or even build new skills - while providing practical and insightful knowledge. Explore key subjects about hydrodynamics and propellers in a flexible on-demand format, so learning is at your own pace and convenience.

Newly Added Courses

Ducted Propellers

This certificate course is valuable for propulsion equipment vendors and vessel designers. This course will introduce the hydrodynamics of propeller nozzles and the implications of different nozzle styles.

Propeller Repitching

This certificate course is appropriate for propeller repair shops, propulsion equipment vendors, naval architects, and boat builders seeking repitch knowledge.

Engine Power Curves

This certificate course will review how a full engine power curve is needed to properly evaluate vessel performance in off-design and dynamic conditions.