On the formation and evolution of the tip and hub vortex of a propeller

An experimental investigation of the propeller wake in a cavitation tunnel has been performed using Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV). By using phase locked acquisition the full three-dimensional velocity field in the propeller slipstream contraction is reconstructed. The estimation of all the mean components of the tip vortex vector are evaluated by using two three dimensional velocity fields on tworadial planes separated by a small angle. The evolution of the tip vortex in the slipstream contraction is analysed