Oscillating Performance and Fluid-structure Interaction Mechanism of a Small Koi's Caudal Fin-like Underwater Propulsion Actuated by MFC

doi:10.3901/JME.2019.20.214

Abstract

Abstract: Macro fiber composite(MFC) exhibits significant advantages of high actuation stress, large flexibility and excellent waterproof performance, compared with conventional piezoelectric ceramics. Thus, MFC actuators have great potentials in the applications of bio-inspired locomotion and flexible actuation. Mimicking the morphological characteristics and body or caudal fin (BCF) locomotion mode of koi fishes, a small koi's caudal fin-like underwater propulsion is designed and fabricated. Experimental results show the maximum underwater oscillating velocity of the propulsion is 154.5 mm/s, with the Peak-to-Peak actuation of 1 000 V, at 7.5 Hz. Computational fluid dynamic(CFD) analyses are conducted to investigate the flow structure caused by the oscillating propulsion. Simulation results show the mean and maximum instantaneous thrust generated by the propulsion in the stable-state are 4.22 mN and 9.8 mN, respectively, which matches well with the Lighthill's slender body theory. A high-velocity flow region is noticed around the propulsion tip from the obtained cycle-averaged velocity fields. The maximum velocity in the region is twice of the oscillating velocity of the propulsion. A pair of counter-rotating vortices can always be observed around the center of the caudal fin elongation. Meanwhile, a jet ejects from the propulsion tip, and spreads out in the downstream direction. Accordingly, the underwater propulsion is pushed forward by the reaction force produced the pseudo-jet. As a result, the propulsion mechanisms of proposed biomimetic underwater propulsion are revealed.

Key words: caudal fin of koi fish, underwater propulsion, macro fiber composite(MFC), fluid-structure Interaction, body or caudal fin(BCF) mode

CLC Number:

TP24
TH113

REN Xiaorong, LOU Junqiang, JIA Zhen, YANG Yiling, CHEN Tehuan, MENG Haofeng. Oscillating Performance and Fluid-structure Interaction Mechanism of a Small Koi's Caudal Fin-like Underwater Propulsion Actuated by MFC[J]. Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 2019, 55(20): 214-221,230.

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