Dynamic characteristics of liquid sloshing in a spherical liquid tank

Liquid sloshing force and torque test technology were developed based on the principle of force system simplification by using four three-dimensional digital force sensors and one six degrees of freedom motion simulation platform. The dynamic characteristics of liquid sloshing in spherical tanks under different motion amplitudes, frequencies, and liquid levels were studied experimentally. The experimental results were verified by conducting the repeatability test. The experiments mainly focus on the sloshing forces and torques generated by liquid sloshing in the spherical tank, and the influence on the sloshing behaviors. Special attention was paid to the characteristics under the resonant frequency. The results show that the liquid sloshing forces and torques reached their maximum under the resonance frequency. In addition, the liquid swirls violently at the resonant frequency, and the swirling wave occurs. The sloshing forces of the liquid reach their maximum at the liquid level of 60%. Therefore, aerospace engineers should consider avoiding resonant sloshing in fuel tank and the effects of hydrodynamic forces on the fuel tank walls for different liquid levels.