Design and Computational Investigations on the Performance attainment and Structural Integrity of Advanced Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines for Unmanned Marine Vehicles

The integration of advanced Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWTs) into Unmanned Marine Vehicles (UMVs) significantly enhances their operational efficiency by providing power source. These vehicles, designed for diverse applications, require efficient power systems to operate autonomously over extended periods. The major disadvantages are limited battery life and energy storage capabilities restrict their operational range and endurance of the UMVs. Utilizing HAWTs in UMVs provide a renewable energy source, reducing operational costs. This continuous power supply enhances mission capabilities and promote energy independence, making them ideal for long-term missions. Ansys Composite PrepPost (ACP) is employed for the pre-processing of HAWT blades, enabling the layering of different composites. The layering of various materials can significantly increase the strength and durability of the HAWT blades. These composites provide superior resistance to fatigue and environmental degradation, ensuring the blades maintain their structural integrity under high stress and strain conditions. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses on conventional and layered HAWT blades are conducted using ANSYS Fluent, under the coupled scheme and the incompressible cum K-epsilon turbulence model for both aerodynamic and hydrodynamic conditions. This study also focuses on fluid-structure interaction (FSI) to evaluate the performance and structural integrity of advanced HAWTs which ensuring structural integrity under critical loading and varied environmental conditions. Optimization of turbine blades with advanced materials, such as various alloys and composites, contributing to their overall efficiency and longevity. The design of the HAWT blade and different composites inclusion is tailored specifically for the unique requirements of UMVs, ensuring they can perform reliably in marine environments.