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Computational hydrodynamics and statistical modeling on biologically inspired undulating robotic fins: A two-dimensional study

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Abstract

Undulation fishes, whose propulsion is mainly achieved by undulating ribbon fins, are good at maneuvering or stabilizing at low speeds. This paper suggests and proposes a two-dimensional approximate computational model, which is used to conduct an initial analysis on undulation propulsion scheme. It is believed that this undulating mode has a better potential for exploitation in artificial underwater systems. Hydrodynamics of two-dimensional undulating fins under a series of kinematical parameter sets is explored via numerical simulation. The periodicity of undulation forces and moments is studied. The effects of inlet velocity, wavelength, undulation frequency, and undulation amplitude are investigated. Furthermore, a dimensionless two-parameter model for undulation surge force is established with a given wavelength (in terms of, a single wavelength or a dual wavelength) using statistical method. The work in this paper is able to provide studies on bionic undulation mode. It has also formed a meaningful basis for three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamics and corresponding control methods in bionic undulation robots.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Automation, College of Mechatronic Engineering and Automation, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha, 410073, P. R. China

    Han Zhou, Tianjiang Hu, Haibin Xie, Daibing Zhang & Lincheng Shen

Authors
  1. Han Zhou
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  2. Tianjiang Hu
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  3. Haibin Xie
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  4. Daibing Zhang
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  5. Lincheng Shen
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Correspondence to Tianjiang Hu.

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Zhou, H., Hu, T., Xie, H. et al. Computational hydrodynamics and statistical modeling on biologically inspired undulating robotic fins: A two-dimensional study. J Bionic Eng 7, 66–76 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1016/S1672-6529(09)60192-X

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