English

Bio-inspired underwater propulsors

Fluid Dynamics 2018-07-06 v2

Abstract

Here we present a general overview of bio-inspired propulsion. We identify the major types of aquatic swimmers (oscillatory, undulatory, pulsatile, and drag-based) and break down their mechanisms for thrust production (drag-based, lift-based, added mass, and momentum injection). For each swimmer, we (1) discuss wake characteristics; (2) derive expressions for thrust and efficiency; and (3) design a specific bio-inspired aquatic vehicle concept. This document will be a book chapter, which at the moment is unpublished.

Cite

@article{arxiv.1801.09714,
  title  = {Bio-inspired underwater propulsors},
  author = {Tyler Van Buren and Daniel Floryan and Alexander Smits},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1801.09714},
  year   = {2018}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-23T00:02:12.258Z