Objective The flow control plate rudder significantly enhances ship maneuverability. However, conventional flow control plate designs can result in cavitation and flow-induced noise. Therefore, investigating the impact of different flow control plate configurations on cavitation generation and hydrodynamic performance is of practical significance.

Methods Using STAR-CCM+ software, the k-ω turbulence model, the Schnerr-Sauer cavitation model, and the volume of fluid (VOF) method were applied for the design optimization and computational analysis of the flow control plate rudder. By modifying the configuration of the flow control plate, the cavitation volume and hydrodynamic performance of various rudder designs were evaluated. The effects of different flow control plate configurations on rudder cavitation and hydrodynamic performance were analyzed.

Results The research findings demonstrate that incorporating a flow control plate rudder enhances steering force and improves rudder efficiency, with minimal impact on overall ship resistance. Furthermore, by incorporating a chamber-type flow control plate and optimizing its design, cavitation phenomena can be reduced. Compared to a conventional rudder, the flow control plate rudder significantly increases the steering force and efficiency, with the maximum lift coefficient improving by up to 18.31%, while its effect on total ship resistance remains negligible. The airfoil-chamber flow control plate rudder further optimizes performance, increasing lift by 16.2% while only increasing the drag coefficient by 4.38%. It reduces cavitation volume by up to 2.54% and significantly decreases the cavitation area, achieving a highly efficient balance between lift, drag, and cavitation performance.

Conclusion These findings provide valuable insights for the design and selection of high-efficiency ship rudders.