Effects of maximum thickness position on hydrodynamic performance for fish-like swimmers

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Fluid Dynamics
• Biomimetics

Background:

• Internal component arrangements in robotic fish influence external shape, impacting swimming efficiency.
• Morphological variations, specifically the position of maximum thickness, significantly affect hydrodynamic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of topological structure on the hydrodynamic performance of self-propelled fish-like swimmers.
• To identify optimal body shapes for robotic fish based on internal system configurations.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing fluid-structure interaction (FSI) techniques to simulate swimming performance.
• Analyzing the relationship between the position of maximum thickness and key performance metrics.

Main Results:

• Robotic fish with maximum thickness positioned closest to the head demonstrated superior swimming performance.
• Optimal designs showed efficient energy use for acceleration and higher velocities during steady swimming.
• Moving the maximum thickness towards the middle reduced acceleration and speed, despite lower peak energy use.

Conclusions:

• The position of maximum body thickness is a critical factor in robotic fish design for optimal hydrodynamic performance.
• This research provides valuable data for designing more efficient and effective underwater robotic fish.
• Findings can guide the morphological adaptation of robotic swimmers to specific performance requirements.