FREQUENCY-DEPENDENCE OF MASS-FLOW GAIN FACTOR AND CAVITATION COMPLIANCE OF CAVITATING INDUCERS

Unsteady cavitation characteristics are analyzed based on a closed cav ity model in which the length of the cavity is allowed to oscillate. I t is shown that the present model blends smoothly into quasi-steady ca lculations at the low frequency limit, unlike fixed cavity length mode ls. Effects of incidence angle and cavitation number on cavitation com pliance and mass flow gain factor are shown as functions of reduced fr equency. The cavity volume is evaluated by three methods and the resul ts are used to confirm the accuracy and adequacy of the numerical calc ulations. By comparison with experimental data on inducers, it is show n that the present model can simulate the characteristics of unsteady- cavitation qualitatively.