<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>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.</p></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.

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

Polish Maritime Research

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The technology of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) is developing in two main directions focusing on improving autonomy and improving construction,...

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

Published Online: Dec 24, 2020

Page range: 179 - 185

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pomr-2020-0078

Keywords
fin flexibility, propulsion force, biomimetic underwater vehicle, fish-like movement

© 2020 Pawel Piskur et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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

Published Online: Dec 24, 2020

Page range: 179 - 185

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/pomr-2020-0078

Keywordsfin flexibility, propulsion force, biomimetic underwater vehicle, fish-like movement

© 2020 Pawel Piskur et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
fin flexibility, propulsion force, biomimetic underwater vehicle, fish-like movement