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Related Experiment Video

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Flapping Soft Fin Deformation Modeling using Planar Laser-Induced Fluorescence Imaging

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Hydrodynamic Characteristics Study of Bionic Dolphin Tail Fin Based on Bidirectional Fluid-Structure Interaction

Ning Wang¹, Yu Zhang¹, Linghui Peng¹

¹College of Mechanical Engineering, Shenyang University of Technology, Shenyang 110870, China.

Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)

|January 24, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Flexible, variable-thickness bionic dolphin tail fins enhance propulsion. Asymmetric motion boosts thrust but can reduce stability by increasing pitching moment, offering design insights for better swimming performance.

Keywords:

asymmetric motion bidirectional fluid–structure interaction bionic tail fin flexibility hydrodynamic characteristics

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Area of Science:

Biomimetics
Fluid Dynamics
Robotics

Background:

Dolphin tail fin locomotion is a complex interplay of fluid dynamics and structural mechanics.
Bionic designs aim to replicate efficient biological propulsion for underwater vehicles.
Understanding the impact of structural variations and motion on performance is crucial for bionic design.

Purpose of the Study:

To simulate and analyze the propulsion performance of bionic dolphin tail fins using fluid-structure interaction.
To investigate the influence of structural parameters (e.g., thickness variation) and motion modes on thrust generation and stability.
To validate numerical simulation methods against experimental data.

Main Methods:

Utilized bidirectional fluid-structure interaction (FSI) technology for numerical simulation.
Simulated the dorsal-ventral motion of bionic dolphin tail fins.
Validated the numerical model through underwater motion experiments.

Main Results:

Flexible tail fins demonstrated enhanced propulsion compared to rigid designs.
Variable-thickness flexible fins, mimicking real dolphin anatomy, outperformed equal-thickness fins.
Asymmetric motion modes increased thrust but also pitching moment, potentially reducing stability.
Increased differences in frequency and amplitude ratios (F and H) between heaving motions amplified pitching moments.

Conclusions:

Flexible and variable-thickness designs are key for optimizing bionic tail fin propulsion.
Asymmetric motion offers thrust benefits but requires careful control to maintain swimming stability.
The study provides valuable data for the design and motion control of efficient bionic propulsion systems.