Computations of Flapping Flow Propulsion for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Design

Ramamurti, Ravi; Geder, Jason; Palmisano, John; Ratna, Banahalli R.; Sandberg, William C.

doi:10.2514/1.43389

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…An unstructured grid-based unsteady incompressible Navier-Stokes solver with automatic adaptive remeshing was used to compute the flow about the deforming fins through several cycles of oscillation. We have validated our computational tools and Ramamurti et al 3 have demonstrated the capability of the pectoral fins on a four fin propelled UUV 4 . In order to increase the thrust generated by the fins and to increase the payload capacity, a larger vehicle is developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Computational Studies for the Development of a Hybrid UAV/UUV

Ramamurti

Geder

Edwards

et al. 2015

33rd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference

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The development of a hybrid unmanned aerial and underwater vehicle (UAV/UUV) for transit to a shallow water zone is described. The computational fluid dynamics study is focused on the aerodynamic characteristics of the vehicle during the glide phase, the thrust production for underwater propulsion, and predicting the forces on the vehicle during the landing phase of the operation. The effect of size, position, and camber of the front fins acting as canards on the pitch stability of the vehicle is investigated. The hydrodynamic thrust of the flapping fins for underwater propulsion shows that a vehicle speed of 1kt can be achieved. The trajectory and the computed forces and moments using coupled 6-dof simulations during the landing phase of the vehicle provide confidence that the fin and the vehicle will survive a water landing.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 68%

Computational Studies for the Development of a Hybrid UAV/UUV

Ramamurti

Geder

Edwards

et al. 2015

33rd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference

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“…Fixing the fin root at a specific angle deviates from nature, but the construction simplicity and cost savings are so substantial that some performance penalty was accepted. The flapping stroke amplitude and frequency, as well as the phasing of the individual fin tip deflection time histories, were retained as controllable parameters, and we have performed CFD analyses of force production with this fin configuration (Ramamurti et al, 2010).…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hardware control and all computations are performed by a 16-MHz ATmega2560 microcontroller. Computations (Ramamurti et al, 2010) and experimental tests carried out to date (Geder et al, 2011) characterized how changes in fin stroke amplitude, frequency, bias angle, and curvature affect the thrust and lift forces for zero free stream flow speed. Further testing and computations are ongoing to fully characterize the fin forces and vehicle dynamics.…”

Section: Figurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Mathematical models representing the dynamic performance of the fins have been developed to include the effects on force production of inflow velocities to the leading edge (or trailing edge for reverse motion) and to include the effects of fin interactions with each other, namely the effects of the trailing vortices off the front fins on the inflow to the back fins (Geder et al, 2011). Other fin dynamic representations modeled controllable parameters including fin curvature and stroke amplitude (Ramamurti et al, 2010). In the earlier 3-D unsteady CFD studies, these two key parameters were found to have a direct relationship with thrust generation-increasing stroke amplitude or fin curvature increased thrust (Ramamurti & Sandberg, 2006).…”

Section: Four-fin Vehicle Controlmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Bioinspired Design Process for an Underwater Flying and Hovering Vehicle

Geder¹,

Palmisano²,

Ramamurti³

et al. 2011

mar technol soc j

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A B S T R A C TWe review here the results obtained during the past several years in a series of computational and experimental investigations aimed at understanding the origin of high-force production in the flapping wings of insects and the flapping and deforming fins of fish and the incorporation of that information into bioinspired vehicle designs. We summarize the results obtained on pectoral fin force production, flapping and deforming fin design, and the emulation of fish pectoral fin swimming in unmanned vehicles. In particular, we discuss the main results from the computational investigations of pectoral fin force production for a particular coral reef fish, the bird wrasse (Gomphosus varius), whose impressive underwater flight and hovering performance matches our vehicle mission requirements. We describe the tradeoffs made between performance and produceability during the bio-inspired design of an actively controlled curvature pectoral fin and the incorporation of it into two underwater flight vehicles: a two-fin swimming version and four-fin swimming version. We describe the unique computational approach taken throughout the fin and vehicle design process for relating fin deformation time-histories to specified desired vehicle dynamic behaviors. We describe the development of the vehicle controller, including hardware implementation, using actuation of the multiple deforming flapping fins as the only means of propulsion and control. Finally, we review the comparisons made to date between four-fin vehicle experimental trajectory measurements and controller simulation predictions and discuss the incorporation of those comparisons into the controller design.

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“…We have validated our computational tools 10 and demonstrated the capability of the pectoral fins on a four fin propelled UUV 11 . In order to increase the 2 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics thrust generated by the fins and to increase the payload capacity, a larger vehicle is developed.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Computational Studies of Pressure Sensor Placement for a Fish-Inspired UUV

Ramamurti

Geder

Thangawng

et al. 2014

AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference

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The development of an unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) with four actively controlled curvature flapping fins capable of carrying increased payload for pressure sensing is presented in this paper. The computational fluid dynamics study is focused on the estimation of the magnitude of pressure on the surface of the vehicle in order to aid in the proper placement of the sensors. Detailed parametric studies were carried out varying several physical parameters as the vehicle approaches a wall. Preliminary comparison with the experiments was performed. The computational study was extended to investigate the potential of the pressure sensors to detect flows behind obstacles such as a pylon.

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Computations of Flapping Flow Propulsion for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Design

Cited by 16 publications

References 16 publications

Computational Studies for the Development of a Hybrid UAV/UUV

Computational Studies for the Development of a Hybrid UAV/UUV

Bioinspired Design Process for an Underwater Flying and Hovering Vehicle

Computational Studies of Pressure Sensor Placement for a Fish-Inspired UUV

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