Influence of Fin’s Material Capabilities on the Propulsion System of Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle

Abstract

The technology of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) is developing in two main directions focusing on improving autonomy and improving construction, especially driving and power supply systems. The new Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles (BUVs) are equipped with the innovative, energy efficient driving system consisting of artificial fins. Because these driving systems are not well developed yet, there are great possibilities to optimize them, e.g. in the field of materials. The article provides an analysis of the propulsion force of the fin as a function of the characteristics of the material from which it is made. The parameters of different materials were used for the fin design and their comparison. The material used in our research was tested in a laboratory to determine the Young’s modulus. For simplicity, the same fin geometry (the length and the height) was used for each type of fin. The Euler–Bernoulli beam theory was applied for estimation of the fluid–structure interaction. This article presents the laboratory test stand and the results of the experiments. The laboratory water tunnel was equipped with specialized sensors for force measurements and fluid–structure interaction analysis. The fin deflection is mathematically described, and the relationship between fin flexibility and the generated driving force is discussed.

Stand for Biomimetic Swimming Fins Fatigue Testing

“…The stand was designed to receive a relatively constant load resulting from the flow of water, and not to test the thrust and efficiency of the fins, which was performed on the stand presented here [8]. The stand described here can also be used to test the durability of other flexible propellers [2,4]. The designed and built stand allows for fatigue testing of practically any type of swimming fins in the angular range from ± 10 ° to ± 30 ° (with the possibility of step adjustment depending on the size of the fins).…”

“…There are also many design solutions to improve the efficiency and comfort of use. There has been a significant interest in biomimetics in recent times [1][2][3][4]. Biomimetics is an interdisciplinary science dealing with the analysis of the structure and principles of living organisms' operation while adapting these principles to the construction and operation of technical devices [5,6].…”

Directions of Development of the Autonomous Unmanned Underwater Vehicles. A Review

“…One of the main reasons for the efforts to develop this type of propulsion is their high efficiency resulting directly from the evolution of fish, which has perfected them for millions of years. They also produce less acoustic noise than classical propellers [12,13].…”

Innovative Energy-Saving Propulsion System for Low-Speed Biomimetic Underwater Vehicles

“…The fish-like flapping foils (Fig. 3 a, b) made from flexible, thin steel sheet and flexible polycarbonate were chosen according to earlier experimental testing [27]. The flexibility parameter was selected by changing the thickness of the fin.…”