Parametric Geometric Model and Shape Optimization of Airfoils of a Biomimetic Manta Ray Underwater Vehicle

Abstract

As a new kind of autonomous underwater vehicle, bionic submersible has many merits such as high efficiency and low costs. To simulate the shapes of marine animals and apply them to the design of artificial underwater vehicle is a good way to obtain such advantages. In this paper, an optimization system of airfoils is proposed by the improved Class function /Shape function Transformation (CST) parameterization method and genetic algorithm (GA). The appearance of a manta-ray-inspired underwater vehicle is rebuilt using the optimal sectional airfoils obtained by the proposed optimization system. Computational simulations are carried out to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of the submersible using the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code Fluent. The results demonstrate that the maximum thickness of the vehicle increases by 9%, which means the loading capacity is increased. Moreover, the underwater vehicle shows better hydrodynamic performance, and the lift-drag ratio of initial design is increased by more than 10% using the presented optimization system of airfoils.

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

“…To construct the chimerical wings based on the mana ray's body planform in the present paper, a set of hydrofoils (i.e., eleven cross-sections of the Mobula alfredi body model) at selected planes perpendicular to the lateral axis are numerically generated by high resolution in MATLAB and imported into the SolidWorks CAD environment [17]. In this regard, an optimized hydrofoil section shape introduced by Luo et al is adopted here [9]. Then, a total number of 2 guide-curves representing L.E.…”

“…In this section, turbulent flows over a manta ray-inspired 'test case' planform with an optimized airfoil cross-section proposed by Luo et al [9] are simulated. In this regard, the test case geometry is constructed by the lofting process via providing L.E.…”

“…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.…”

“…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. For instance, Luo et al has successfully used an optimization technique to optimize the shape of the hydrofoil sections for a given manta ray-inspired planform in the pure gliding mode [9]. Here, we implement some biomimetic changes in the overall economy (planform shape) of a manta ray-inspired wing to grasp the underlying physics of the problem.…”

A Fluid–Structure Interaction Study on a Bionic Fish Fin With Non-Uniform Stiffness Distribution

“…The bio-inspired underwater vehicle, as a new type of artificial vehicle, is a promising tool to explore and exploit the ocean. The advantages of such vehicles include low noise generation, excellent manoeuvrability and high efficiency at low-speed cruising [1,2].…”