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Comparative Analysis of Hydrodynamic Performance for Flapping Hydrofoils Driven by Three Typical Transmission
Ertian Hua1, Sihan Li1, Xiaopeng Wu1
1College of Mechanical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
Biomimetics (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 27, 2025
Summary
The synchronous belt drive offers the best performance for bionic hydrofoil propulsion, providing continuous thrust and adaptability. This study optimizes hydrofoil design by analyzing transmission mechanisms for efficient flapping propulsion.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Biomimetics
Background:
- Bionic hydrofoil propulsion mimics natural aquatic locomotion.
- Efficient transmission mechanisms are crucial for optimizing propulsive performance.
- Understanding hydrodynamics is key to designing effective bio-inspired propulsion systems.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize bionic hydrofoil propulsion performance.
- To establish design guidelines for efficient transmission mechanisms.
- To compare the performance of crank-slider, cylindrical cam, and synchronous belt drives.
Main Methods:
- 3D modeling and virtual assembly of transmission mechanisms.
- ADAMS simulations to analyze dynamic responses (slider displacement, driving force/torque).
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to evaluate thrust and drag characteristics.
Main Results:
- Crank-slider mechanism demonstrated the lowest energy consumption.
- Synchronous belt drive exhibited continuous thrust generation, unlike the intermittent thrust of the crank-slider.
- Propulsion efficiency varied with frequency; synchronous belt showed superior frequency adaptability.
Conclusions:
- The synchronous belt drive is the optimal mechanism for efficient flapping propulsion due to continuous motion and frequency adaptability.
- Transmission mechanism choice significantly impacts hydrofoil hydrodynamics.
- This research provides foundational insights for designing and optimizing bionic propulsion systems.
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