Application of an improved particle swarm optimization algorithm in hydrodynamic design

Abstract

In order to design the hydrofoil section with good lift-drag ratio performance, the airfoil which received by Improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm should be compared to find the best way in accord with the target. Airfoils are represented by analytic functions, and objective function and fitness function are provided by numerical solution of Panel method. In entire optimization process Improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm only changed the weight which influences the speed of particles flying, and optimized airfoil that compared to the original airfoil hydrodynamic performance has improved significantly, and has better result than the elementary particle swarm algorithm. Results of Optimization verified the feasibility of the improved Particle Swarm Optimization algorithm in the optimization of airfoil section design, and in the future this algorithm has certain significance. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.