Preliminary communication

CFD Analysis of Biologically-Inspired Marine Propulsors

M. I. Lamas ; Universidade da Coruña; Escola Universitaria Politécnica, Avda 19 de Febreiro s/n, 15405 Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain
J. D. Rodriguez ; Universidade da Coruña; Escola Universitaria Politécnica, Avda 19 de Febreiro s/n, 15405 Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain
C. G. Rodriguez ; Universidade da Coruña; Escola Universitaria Politécnica, Avda 19 de Febreiro s/n, 15405 Ferrol, A Coruña, Spain

Abstract

In the present work, the design and testing of two propulsion mechanisms which emulate fish swimming are presented. The motivation comes from the high effi ciency and maneuverality that
fi sh demonstrate over conventional rotary propellers. In order to know the fl uid fl ow pattern in detail, a 3D CFD model was developed. Details of the velocity and pressure fi elds were obtained,
as well as the hydrodynamic forces, cruising velocity, power and effi ciency. The results obtained using this CFD model were validated with the experimental prototypes, obtaining a reasonable agreement. Once validated, the CFD model was used to analyze several confi gurations of the propelling fi n, obtaining that thunniform swimming mode is the most effi cient.

Keywords

CFD; fish swimming; marine propulsion

Hrčak ID:

85035

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/85035

Publication date:

15.6.2012.

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