Variable stroke timing of rubber fins' duty cycle improves force

Keri M Collins, Jennifer C Brown, Ryan R Ladd, Lily D Chambers, Adrian Bowyer, William M Megill

Research output: Chapter or section in a book/report/conference proceedingChapter or section

211 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Swimming animals can tune their kinematics to achieve increased propulsive performance. To engineer effective propulsive mechanisms, a better correlation between kinematics and dynamics is required in artificial designs. Two rubber fins: one with a NACA aerofoil shape, the other with a biomimetic shape, were used in two asymmetric oscillations in a static water tank. The force generation patterns within the parameter space and the response to the change in stroke timing, were dependant on the fin. The biomimetic fin produced peak force at a similar frequency and amplitude regardless of its kinematics and duty cycle. The response of the NACA fin, however, was dependent on the duty cycle. For the NACA fin, the fast-to-centreline kinematics caused larger resultant force over a narrow range of frequencies. For the fast-to-maximum-amplitude stroke, a lower resultant force was achieved, but over a larger range of frequencies. Digital Particle Image Velocimetry (DPIV) analysis showed the wake pattern of shed vortices. We present experiments and qualitative flow analysis that relate kinematic parameters, particularly the trailing-edge angle to resultant forces.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationIEEE 15th International Conference on Advanced Robotics: New Boundaries for Robotics, ICAR 2011
Place of PublicationPiscataway, NJ
PublisherIEEE
Pages613-618
Number of pages6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011
EventIEEE 15th International Conference on Advanced Robotics: New Boundaries for Robotics, ICAR 2011, June 20, 2011 - June 23, 2011 - Tallinn, Estonia
Duration: 1 Jan 2011 → …

Publication series

NameIEEE 15th International Conference on Advanced Robotics: New Boundaries for Robotics, ICAR 2011
PublisherIEEE Computer Society

Conference

ConferenceIEEE 15th International Conference on Advanced Robotics: New Boundaries for Robotics, ICAR 2011, June 20, 2011 - June 23, 2011
Country/TerritoryEstonia
CityTallinn
Period1/01/11 → …

Bibliographical note

IEEE 15th International Conference on Advanced Robotics: New Boundaries for Robotics, ICAR 2011. 20-23 June 2011. Tallinn, Estonia.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Variable stroke timing of rubber fins' duty cycle improves force'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this