A study on the hydrodynamic performance of manta ray biomimetic glider under unconstrained six-DOF motion

Abstract

A manta ray biomimetic glider is designed and studied with both laboratory experiments and numerical simulations with a new dynamic update method called the motion-based zonal mesh update method (MBZMU method) to reveal its hydrodynamic performance. Regarding the experimental study, an ejection gliding experiment is conducted for qualitative verification, and a hydrostatic free-fall experiment is conducted to quantitatively verify the reliability of the corresponding numerical simulation. Regarding the numerical simulation, to reduce the trend of nose-up movement and to obtain a long lasting and stable gliding motion, a series of cases with the center of mass offset forward by different distances and different initial angles of attack have been calculated. The results show that the glider will show the optimal gliding performance when the center of mass is 20mm in front of the center of geometry and the initial attack angle range lies between A0 = -5° to A0 = -2.5° at the same time. The optimal gliding distance can reach six times its body length under these circumstances. Furthermore, the stability of the glider is explained from the perspective of Blended-Wing-Body (BWB) configuration.

Quantitative analysis of the morphing wing mechanism of raptors: Bionic design of Falco Peregrinus wing skeleton

“…Like other avian species, the bones of the falcon wing comprise the humerus, ulna, radius, carpus, metacarpus, and digits. The skeleton of the wing is characterized by simplifications and reductions in the form of ankylosis, especially at the tip of the limb [ 28 ]. Similar to mammals, the humerus forms the skeleton of the brachium, and the ulna and radius form the skeleton of the antebrachium.…”

Hydrodynamic Analysis of Bionic Chimerical Wing Planforms Inspired by Manta Ray Eidonomy

“…In contrast to fishes, including sharks, these filter-feeding swimmers have developed a disproportionately large brain to their body weight similar to mammals, which gives them a higher level of capabilities in functionality and behavior [8]. In general, the swimming of a manta ray is performed via a combination of two modes [9]: flapping of its left and right pectoral fins [10] [11] and gliding mode provided by its large and extended planform or sometimes just as a pure gliding mode [12] [13]. As aforementioned, the external geometry of a manta ray, including wing planform shape and the shape of hydrofoil ribs, directly affects the swimming performance of the animal in both flapping and gliding modes.…”