Marine Applications of the Biomimetic Humpback Whale Flipper

2011 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 198-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank E. Fish ◽  
Paul W. Weber ◽  
Mark M. Murray ◽  
Laurens E. Howle
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Humpback Whale ◽  
Hydrodynamic Effect ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Transfer Of Technology ◽  
Biomimetic Approach ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Marine Applications ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Surfaces

AbstractThe biomimetic approach seeks technological advancement through a transfer of technology from natural technologies to engineered systems. The morphology of the wing-like flipper of the humpback whale has potential for marine applications. As opposed to the straight leading edge of conventional hydrofoils, the humpback whale flipper has a number of sinusoid-like rounded bumps, called tubercles, which are arranged periodically along the leading edge. The presence of the tubercles modifies the water flow over the wing-like surface, creating regions of vortex generation between the tubercles. These vortices interact with the flow over the tubercle and accelerate that flow, helping to maintain a partially attached boundary layer. This hydrodynamic effect can delay stall to higher angles of attack, increases lift, and reduces drag compared to the post-stall condition of conventional wings. As the humpback whale functions in the marine environment in a Reynolds regime similar to some engineered marine systems, the use of tubercles has the potential to enhance the performance of wing-like structures. Specific applications of the tubercles for marine technology include sailboat masts, fans, propellers, turbines, and control surfaces, such as rudders, dive planes, stabilizers, spoilers, and keels.

scholarly journals Limits of Nature and Advances of Technology: What Does Biomimetics Have to Offer to Aquatic Robots?

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. E. Fish
Keyword(s):  
Technology Transfer ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Superior Performance ◽  
Technological Advancement ◽  
Optimal Functions ◽  
Biomimetic Approach ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
Evolutionary Descent

In recent years, the biomimetic approach has been utilized as a mechanism for technological advancement in the field of robotics. However, there has not been a full appreciation of the success and limitations of biomimetics. Similarities between natural and engineered systems are exhibited by convergences, which define environmental factors, which impinge upon design, and direct copying that produces innovation through integration of natural and artificial technologies. Limitations of this integration depend on the structural and mechanical differences of the two technologies and on the process by which each technology arises. The diversity of organisms that arose through evolutionary descent does not necessarily provide all possible solutions of optimal functions. However, in instances where organisms exhibit superior performance to engineered systems, features of the organism can be targeted for technology transfer. In this regard, cooperation between biologists and engineers is paramount.

scholarly journals Body Flexibility Enhances Maneuverability in the World’s Largest Predator

2018 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
P S Segre ◽  
D E Cade ◽  
J Calambokidis ◽  
F E Fish ◽  
A S Friedlaender ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Open Ocean ◽  
The Body ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Active Surfaces ◽  
Aquatic Locomotion ◽  
And Performance ◽  
And Control ◽  
Blue Whales ◽  
Control Surfaces ◽  
Complex Trajectories

Abstract Blue whales are often characterized as highly stable, open-ocean swimmers who sacrifice maneuverability for long-distance cruising performance. However, recent studies have revealed that blue whales actually exhibit surprisingly complex underwater behaviors, yet little is known about the performance and control of these maneuvers. Here, we use multi-sensor biologgers equipped with cameras to quantify the locomotor dynamics and the movement of the control surfaces used by foraging blue whales. Our results revealed that simple maneuvers (rolls, turns, and pitch changes) are performed using distinct combinations of control and power provided by the flippers, the flukes, and bending of the body, while complex trajectories are structured by combining sequences of simple maneuvers. Furthermore, blue whales improve their turning performance by using complex banked turns to take advantage of their substantial dorso-ventral flexibility. These results illustrate the important role body flexibility plays in enhancing control and performance of maneuvers, even in the largest of animals. The use of the body to supplement the performance of the hydrodynamically active surfaces may represent a new mechanism in the control of aquatic locomotion.

Thrust Enhancement From Radial Velocity in Squid Inspired Thrusters

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Krieg ◽  
Kamran Mohseni
Keyword(s):  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Driving Mechanism ◽  
Low Thrust ◽  
Vortex Ring Formation ◽  
Total Impulse ◽  
Fluid Jets ◽  
Force Range ◽  
And Control ◽  
Thrust Production ◽  
Control Surfaces

Squid and jellyfish generate propulsive forces by successively taking in and expelling high momentum jets of water. This method of propulsion offers several advantages to underwater vehicles/robots. The driving mechanism can be placed internal to the vehicle, reducing the drag associated with an abundance of external thrusters and control surfaces. The thrusters can generate accurate predictable forcing in the low thrust range, while still generating thrust nearly instantaneously over the entire force range. Vortex ring formation dynamics play an important role in creating thrust. It is observed that squid and jellyfish eject fluid jets which are not exactly parallel, and have a contracting velocity in the radial direction. A prototype thruster was developed which generates both parallel and converging propulsive jets. The total impulse of the jet is determined from DPIV techniques to determine the effect a non-zero radial velocity had on thrust production. The radial velocity was observed to increase the total impulse of the jet by 70% for low stroke ratio jets, and 75% for large stroke ratio jets.

Paper 20. Improvement of Control by Special Devices

1972 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 150-154
Author(s):  
H. Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Large Angle ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Rotating Cylinder ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
Trailing Edge ◽  
Stall Angle ◽  
Lift Control ◽  
And Control

The paper discusses hydrodynamic devices for improving manoeuvring and control. Two hydrodynamic concepts are shown to be of practical significance for large craft: control of hydrofoil lift independent of incidence, and deflection of the propulsion jet through a large angle by means of a simple hydrofoil. Lift control independent of incidence is illustrated by the jet flap and the trailing edge rotating cylinder. Improved deflection of the propeller slipstream involves extending the rudder stall angle, and it is shown how this may be achieved by fitting the rudder with a leading edge rotating cylinder.

The Influence of Leading Edge Vortex Generators on the Efficiency of Lateral Control Surfaces

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Volodymyr Rozbytskyi ◽  
Eugene Udartsev ◽  
Artemii Sattarov ◽  
Olexander Zhdanov
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Vortex Generators ◽  
Lateral Control ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Control Surfaces

scholarly journals Longitudinal Actuated Abdomen Control for Energy Efficient Flight of Insects

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 5480
Author(s):  
Titilayo Ogunwa ◽  
Blake McIvor ◽  
Nurkhairunisa Awang Jumat ◽  
Ermira Abdullah ◽  
Javaan Chahl
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Insect Flight ◽  
Design Feature ◽  
Unmanned Aircraft ◽  
Longitudinal Control ◽  
Flight Behaviour ◽  
Aerodynamic Control ◽  
The Cost ◽  
And Control ◽  
Control Surfaces

The actuated abdomens of insects such as dragonflies have long been suggested to play a role in optimisation and control of flight. We have examined the effect of this type of actuation in the simplified case of a small fixed wing aircraft to determine whether energetic advantages exist in normal flight when compared to the cost of actuation using aerodynamic control surfaces. We explore the benefits the abdomen/tail might provide to balance level flight against trim changes. We also consider the transient advantage of using alternative longitudinal control effectors in a pull up flight maneuver. Results show that the articulated abdomen significantly reduces energy consumption and increase performance in isolated manoeuvres. The results also indicate a design feature that could be incorporated into small unmanned aircraft under particular circumstances. We aim to highlight behaviours that would increase flight efficiency to inform designers of micro aerial vehicles and to aid the analysis of insect flight behaviour and energetics.

scholarly journals CONTROLLING NETWORK DYNAMICS

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (07n08) ◽  
pp. 1950021 ◽  
Author(s):  
AMING LI ◽  
YANG-YU LIU
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Development ◽  
Network Dynamics ◽  
Great Depth ◽  
Network Control ◽  
Networked Systems ◽  
Practical Applications ◽  
Dynamics And Control ◽  
Engineered Systems ◽  
And Control ◽  
Near Future

Network science has experienced unprecedented rapid development in the past two decades. The network perspective has also been widely applied to explore various complex systems in great depth. In the first decade, fundamental characteristics of complex network structure, such as the small-worldness, scale-freeness, and modularity, of various complex networked systems were harvested from analyzing big empirical data. The associated dynamical processes on complex networks were also heavily studied. In the second decade, more attention was devoted to investigating the control of complex networked systems, ranging from fundamental theories to practical applications. Here we briefly review the recent progress regarding network dynamics and control, mainly concentrating on research questions proposed in the six papers we collected for this topical issue. This review closes with possible research directions along this line, and several important problems to be solved. We expect that, in the near future, network control will play an even bigger role in more fields, helping us understand and control many complex natural and engineered systems.

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