Motion stability and control of supercavitating vehicle with variable cavitation number

Cavitation number and speed are capable of variation during the motion of supercavitating vehicle underwater, for example, under the condition of accelerated motion stage and external disturbance. The dynamic model and control challenge associated with the longitudinal motion of supercavitating vehicle with variable cavitation number and speed have been explored. Based on the principle of cavity expansion independence the properties of cavity and the influence on planning force of body were researched. Calculation formula of efficiency of the fin was presented. Nonlinear dynamics model of variable cavitation number and speed supercavitating vehicle was established. Stabilities of the open-loop systems of different situations were analyzed. The simulations results of open-loop systems show that it is necessary to design a control method to control a supercavitating vehicle. A gain schedule controller with guaranteed H_∞ performance was designed to stabilize the dive-plane dynamics of supercavitating vehicle under changing conditions.