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Vortex dynamics and hydrodynamic performance enhancement mechanism in batoid fish oscillatory swimming

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 November 2021

Dong Zhang Open the ORCID record for Dong Zhang [Opens in a new window] ,
Qiao-Gao Huang ,
Guang Pan Open the ORCID record for Guang Pan [Opens in a new window] ,
Li-Ming Yang  and
Wei-Xi Huang Open the ORCID record for Wei-Xi Huang [Opens in a new window]
Dong Zhang
Affiliation:
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China Key Laboratory for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
Qiao-Gao Huang*
Affiliation:
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China Key Laboratory for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China
Guang Pan
Affiliation:
School of Marine Science and Technology, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China Key Laboratory for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an 710072, PR China
Li-Ming Yang
Affiliation:
Department of Aerodynamics, College of Aerospace Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 210016, PR China
Wei-Xi Huang*
Affiliation:
AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, PR China
*
†Email addresses for correspondence: huangqiaogao@nwpu.edu.cn; hwx@tsinghua.edu.cn
†Email addresses for correspondence: huangqiaogao@nwpu.edu.cn; hwx@tsinghua.edu.cn
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Abstract

The effects of chordwise deformation and the half-amplitude asymmetry on the hydrodynamic performance and vortex dynamics of batoid fish have been numerically investigated, in which the two parameters were represented by the wavenumber ($W$) and the ratio of the half-amplitude above the longitudinal axis to that below ($HAR$). Fin kinematics were prescribed based on biological data. Simulations were conducted using the immersed boundary method. It was found that moderate chordwise deformation enhances the thrust, saves the power and increases the efficiency. A large $HAR$ can also increase thrust performance. By using the derivative-moment transformation theory at several subdomains to capture the local vortical structures and a force decomposition, it was shown that, at high Strouhal numbers ($St$), the tip vortex is the main source of thrust, whereas the leading-edge vortex (LEV) and trailing-edge vortex weaken the thrust generation. However, at lower $St$, the LEV would enhance the thrust. The least deformation ($W=0$) leads to the largest effective angle of attack, and thus the strongest vortices. However, moderate deformation ($W=0.4$) has an optimal balance between the performance enhancement and the opposite effect of different local structures. The performance enhancement of $HAR$ was also due to the increase of the vortical contributions. This work provides a new insight into the role of vortices and the force enhancement mechanism in aquatic swimming.

JFM classification

Biological Fluid Dynamics: Propulsion Biological Fluid Dynamics: Swimming/flying Vortex Flows: Vortex dynamics

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Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 930 , 10 January 2022 , A28
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© The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press

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