This work explores the impact of passive deformation on the hydrodynamic performance of cownose rays gliding at various angles of attack (AoA) and pectoral fin stiffness. We employ a partitioned fluid-structure coupling scheme to resolve the dynamic interaction between the fluid and structure. Specifically, the incompressible Navier–Stokes equations are solved through the finite volume method, while structural deformation is addressed via the finite element method. A co-simulation engine is utilized for communication and coordination between the fluid and structural solver. Furthermore, an implicit coupling scheme is implemented to ensure numerical stability. Our results demonstrate that passive deformation of the pectoral fin would stabilize the gliding motion with increased drag and lift but reduced pitching moment. The lift-to-drag ratio is improved slightly at any angle of attack, with the maximum increase reached at an AoA of ±7.5°. Pectoral fin stiffness can influence passive deformation significantly, and the minimal stiffness leads to the most evident impact on gliding lift enhancement and pitching moment reduction under the parameters considered in this work. This study may provide insight into the control strategy of optimal gliding angle of attack and the selection of material properties of flexible fins in the design of high-performance biomimetic underwater gliders.
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December 2023
Research Article|
December 13 2023
Research on passive deformation and hydrodynamic performance of a biomimetic cownose ray in gliding motion through fluid-structure interaction analysis
Tongshi Xu (徐同轼)
;
Tongshi Xu (徐同轼)
(Data curation, Methodology, Writing – original draft)
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
2
Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Ningbo 315103, People's Republic of China
3
Key Laboratory of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
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Yang Luo (罗扬)
;
Yang Luo (罗扬)
a)
(Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing)
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
2
Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Ningbo 315103, People's Republic of China
3
Key Laboratory of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: y.luo@nwpu.edu.cn
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Zhexing Hou (侯哲星)
;
Zhexing Hou (侯哲星)
(Investigation, Validation)
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
2
Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Ningbo 315103, People's Republic of China
3
Key Laboratory of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
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Qiaogao Huang (黄桥高)
;
Qiaogao Huang (黄桥高)
(Project administration, Software)
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
2
Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Ningbo 315103, People's Republic of China
3
Key Laboratory of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
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Yong Cao (曹勇);
Yong Cao (曹勇)
(Resources)
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
2
Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Ningbo 315103, People's Republic of China
3
Key Laboratory of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
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Guang Pan (潘光)
Guang Pan (潘光)
(Supervision)
1
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
2
Ningbo Institute of Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Ningbo 315103, People's Republic of China
3
Key Laboratory of Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University
, Xi'an 710072, People's Republic of China
Search for other works by this author on:
a)Author to whom correspondence should be addressed: y.luo@nwpu.edu.cn
Physics of Fluids 35, 121905 (2023)
Article history
Received:
September 01 2023
Accepted:
November 22 2023
Citation
Tongshi Xu, Yang Luo, Zhexing Hou, Qiaogao Huang, Yong Cao, Guang Pan; Research on passive deformation and hydrodynamic performance of a biomimetic cownose ray in gliding motion through fluid-structure interaction analysis. Physics of Fluids 1 December 2023; 35 (12): 121905. https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0174659
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