Modelling tunnel thrusters for autonomous underwater vehicles

With 900 Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) required over the next decade (Newman et al., 2007) existing survey-style AUVs need improved utilization factors. Additional control devices to extend operational capability need consideration together with the interchange between AUV control approaches. This paper considers supplementary through-body tunnel thruster control during the transition from survey operation to low-speed manoeuvring. Modified manoeuvring equations permit investigation of energy level demands as a positively buoyant AUV is slowed down from cruising speed to maintaining a stationary position. A suitable model of the selected thruster device is proposed following a literature review of tunnel thruster performance.