Study on the Hydrodynamic Performance of Typical Underwater Bionic Foils with Spanwise Flexibility

Zhou, Kaixiong; Liu, Junkao; Chen, Weishan

doi:10.3390/app7111120

Cited by 12 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…In addition, the thrust force and the wave power utilization coefficients of the flexible foil are 13% and 25% larger than those of rigid foil at ω 0 /ω f = 1 under waves. This phenomenon shows that flexible deformation can improve the propulsive performance of the foil, and this conclusion is in agreement with Zhou [17,18].…”

Section: Effect Of Wave Encounter Frequency On Foil Performancesupporting

confidence: 87%

Effects of Regular Waves on Propulsion Performance of Flexible Flapping Foil

Liu

Huang

et al. 2018

Applied Sciences

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Featured Application: This work is meaningful for the bionic unmanned underwater vehicle to improve its navigation performance near the sea surface, increase its endurance and reduce its ocean pollution. Abstract:The objective of the present study is to analyze the effects of waves on the propulsive performance and flow field evolution of flexible flapping foil, and then offer a way to take advantage of wave energy. The effects of regular waves on the propulsive performance of a two-dimensional flexible flapping foil, which imitated the motion and deformation process of a fish caudal fin, were numerically studied. Based on computational fluid dynamic theory, the commercial software Fluent was used to solve the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations in the computational domain. Several numerical models were employed in the simulations, which included user-defined function (UDF), numerical wave tank (NWT), dynamic mesh, volume of fluid (VOF), post-processing, and analysis of the wake field. The numerical tank was also deep enough, such that the tank bottom had no influence on the surface wave profile. First, the numerical method was validated by comparing it with experimental results of rigid foil, flapping under waves. The effects of three key wave parameters on the propulsive performance of flexible and rigid foils were then investigated; the results show that higher performance can only be obtained when the motion frequency of the foil was equal to its encounter frequency with the wave. With this precondition, foils were able to generate higher thrust force at larger wave amplitudes or smaller wavelengths. Similarly, the percentage of wave energy recovery by foils was higher at smaller wave amplitudes or wavelengths. From a perspective of wake field evolution, increasing foil velocity (relative to water particles of surrounding waves), could improve its propulsive performance. In addition, flexible deformation of foil was beneficial in not only enhancing vortex intensity but also reducing the dissipation of vortices' energy in the flow field. Therefore, flexible foils were able obtain a better propulsive performance and higher wave energy recovery ability.

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Section: Effect Of Wave Encounter Frequency On Foil Performancesupporting

confidence: 87%

Effects of Regular Waves on Propulsion Performance of Flexible Flapping Foil

Liu

Huang

et al. 2018

Applied Sciences

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“…To advance this field further, Liu et al [62] and Zhou et al [63] utilized CFD methods to study self-propelled NACA0012 hydrofoil models and a biomimetic NACA0013 hydrofoil, while analyzing various factors affecting their propulsive performance.…”

Section: Biomimetic Hydrofoil-like Tail Fin Propulsionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis in Biomimetic Applications for Underwater Vehicles

Zhang,

Wang,

Zhang

2024

Biomimetics

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Biomimetics, which draws inspiration from nature, has emerged as a key approach in the development of underwater vehicles. The integration of this approach with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has further propelled research in this field. CFD, as an effective tool for dynamic analysis, contributes significantly to understanding and resolving complex fluid dynamic problems in underwater vehicles. Biomimetics seeks to harness innovative inspiration from the biological world. Through the imitation of the structure, behavior, and functions of organisms, biomimetics enables the creation of efficient and unique designs. These designs are aimed at enhancing the speed, reliability, and maneuverability of underwater vehicles, as well as reducing drag and noise. CFD technology, which is capable of precisely predicting and simulating fluid flow behaviors, plays a crucial role in optimizing the structural design of underwater vehicles, thereby significantly enhancing their hydrodynamic and kinematic performances. Combining biomimetics and CFD technology introduces a novel approach to underwater vehicle design and unveils broad prospects for research in natural science and engineering applications. Consequently, this paper aims to review the application of CFD technology in the biomimicry of underwater vehicles, with a primary focus on biomimetic propulsion, biomimetic drag reduction, and biomimetic noise reduction. Additionally, it explores the challenges faced in this field and anticipates future advancements.

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“…Their predicted results revealed that the thrust and propulsion efficiency increased as a result of the passive deformation of fin rays. Zhou et al (2017) further studied a fish bodycaudal fin model and revealed that a faster swimming speed could be achieved for a fish model with a flexible caudal fin than that with a rigid one. It can thus be summarised from the above literature reviews that it is necessary to take into consideration the change in the fin shape while studying fish swimming behaviour.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Computational investigation on a self-propelled pufferfish driven by multiple fins

Xiao

Liu

et al. 2020

Ocean Engineering

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Based on experimental measurements of a live fish, a numerical model is established for a pufferfish driven by the locomotion of its multiple flexible fins. The self-propelled motion of the fish is investigated under unsteady swimming conditions, including the accelerating and subsequent quasi-steady stage, to analyse the motion mechanisms of a real fish model with multiple flexible fins. Present numerical approach combines Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Multi-Body Dynamics (MBD), which allows for the analysis of the interaction between fluid and a fish with multiple fins.Benefitting from the available experimental data of the live fish, the deformation of each fin surface can be prescribed, and we name this condition as flexible in this paper.To elucidate the impact of flexible fins on the propulsion performance of fish swimming, simulations are also performed for rigid fins with the same kinematic motion profiles imposed on the leading edge of fin surfaces. With the developed tool, unsteady hydrodynamic forces, vortex interaction between body and fins associated with MPF swimming mode are numerically predicted. The obtained results highlight the effect of flexibility of fins on thrust generation and efficiency improvement for fish undergoing free-swimming.

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Study on the Hydrodynamic Performance of Typical Underwater Bionic Foils with Spanwise Flexibility

Cited by 12 publications

References 34 publications

Effects of Regular Waves on Propulsion Performance of Flexible Flapping Foil

Effects of Regular Waves on Propulsion Performance of Flexible Flapping Foil

Review of Computational Fluid Dynamics Analysis in Biomimetic Applications for Underwater Vehicles

Computational investigation on a self-propelled pufferfish driven by multiple fins

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