AUV Thrusters and Propulsion Systems

Overview

Innerspace Corporation supplies complete Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) propulsion systems or individual components such as electric motors and propellers. Multiple voltage and size options are available. We also provide complete hydrodynamic modeling of the vehicle and propulsion system.

Products and Offerings

We offer a range of propulsion solutions, including:

• Complete AUV propulsion systems – ready to integrate.
  • Individual components: Electric Motors and/or Propellers.
  • Brushless DC Direct Drive motors. Multiple voltages are available.
  • Several propeller sizes.
  • Hydrodynamic modeling of the vehicle and propulsion system.
  • Off‑the‑shelf availability and engineered specials for unique requirements.

Engineering and Design Support

We provide comprehensive engineering and hydrodynamic design support to ensure that every propulsion system is optimized for performance and efficiency. Our approach considers not only the power and torque characteristics of the motor but also the detailed water flow behavior as it approaches and passes through the propeller. Proper inflow conditions are critical — smooth, uniform water flow minimizes turbulence, vibration, and cavitation, which enhances thrust efficiency and extends component life. When the flow into the propeller is distorted or poorly aligned with the vehicle’s hull geometry, you will have a hard to control vehicle and most of all, performance and efficiency can drop significantly.

That’s why we place strong emphasis on designing the motor and propeller together, as a single integrated propulsion unit that complements the AUV’s body shape. By modeling the flow interaction between the vehicle hull, propeller, and motor housing, we can optimize blade geometry, hub size, and rotational speed. This integration ensures smoother flow transitions, improved efficiency, reduced acoustic signature, and better overall hydrodynamic performance for your AUV.

Component Categories

Complete Propulsion Systems

Matched motor and propeller sets, with recommendations on operating voltage and thrust targets tailored to your hull form and mission profile.

Electric Motors

Our Brushless DC Direct Drive motors are engineered to deliver precise, efficient, and quiet operation for underwater applications. Each motor is designed to work in harmony with its corresponding propeller, ensuring an optimal match between torque, RPM, and thrust requirements. By carefully pairing the motor’s torque constant (Kt) and back‑EMF constant (Ke) to the hydrodynamic load curve of the propeller, we maximize system efficiency and power utilization across the operating range.

Thermal management is also a key design consideration. Since underwater motor drives are often sealed in a 1 atm housing, we utilize advanced heat transfer materials and designs that efficiently dissipate heat into the surrounding water. This allows sustained operation at high power levels without compromising reliability.

The integration of motor and propeller design allows us to precisely control flow velocity, minimize losses due to mismatched loading, and deliver smoother, more efficient thrust. Our motors are also available in a range of voltage options, torque constants, and physical sizes, ensuring a scalable solution for small observation-class vehicles through to large, high‑power AUVs.

Propellers

We offer a wide selection of precision-engineered propellers, designed to deliver optimal performance across a range of operating conditions from shallow water depth to full ocean depth and various vehicle speed operating points. Each propeller is tailored to balance thrust, efficiency, and cavitation resistance while maintaining stability through variable flow regimes. Our designs take into account blade count, pitch, diameter, and material selection to achieve the desired balance of static thrust and cruising efficiency. We can customize propeller geometry to suit specific vehicle shapes, mission speeds, and depth requirements, ensuring the propeller operates harmoniously with both the motor and the vehicle’s hydrodynamic profile.

Key Specifications