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

2021 ◽  
Vol 930 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong Zhang ◽  
Qiao-Gao Huang ◽  
Guang Pan ◽  
Li-Ming Yang ◽  
Wei-Xi Huang
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Dynamics ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Biological Data ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Immersed Boundary ◽  
Transformation Theory ◽  
Enhancement Mechanism ◽  
Edge Vortex

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.

Vortex dynamics and new lift enhancement mechanism of wing–body interaction in insect forward flight

2016 ◽  
Vol 795 ◽  
pp. 634-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geng Liu ◽  
Haibo Dong ◽  
Chengyu Li
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Dynamics ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Stokes Equations ◽  
The Body ◽  
Immersed Boundary ◽  
Dramatic Improvement ◽  
Forward Flight ◽  
Body Interaction ◽  
Enhancement Mechanism ◽  
Lift Enhancement

The effects of wing–body interaction (WBI) on aerodynamic performance and vortex dynamics have been numerically investigated in the forward flight of cicadas. Flapping wing kinematics was reconstructed based on the output of a high-speed camera system. Following the reconstruction of cicada flight, three models, wing–body (WB), body-only (BD) and wings-only (WN), were then developed and evaluated using an immersed-boundary-method-based incompressible Navier–Stokes equations solver. Results have shown that due to WBIs, the WB model had a 18.7 % increase in total lift production compared with the lift generated in both the BD and WN models, and about 65 % of this enhancement was attributed to the body. This resulted from a dramatic improvement of body lift production from 2 % to 11.6 % of the total lift produced by the wing–body system. Further analysis of the associated near-field and far-field vortex structures has shown that this lift enhancement was attributed to the formation of two distinct vortices shed from the thorax and the posterior of the insect, respectively, and their interactions with the flapping wings. Simulations are also used to examine the new lift enhancement mechanism over a range of minimum wing–body distances, reduced frequencies and body inclination angles. This work provides a new physical insight into the understanding of the body-involved lift-enhancement mechanism in insect forward flight.

Leading-edge vortex dynamics on a slender oscillating wing

1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 815-819 ◽  
Author(s):  
Young-Whoon Jun ◽  
Robert C. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Dynamics ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Edge Vortex

scholarly journals Three-dimensional vortex wake structure of flapping wings in hovering flight

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (91) ◽  
pp. 20130984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Cheng ◽  
Jesse Roll ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Daniel R. Troolin ◽  
Xinyan Deng
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Flapping Wings ◽  
Vortex Wake ◽  
Wake Structure ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Vorticity Transport

Flapping wings continuously create and send vortices into their wake, while imparting downward momentum into the surrounding fluid. However, experimental studies concerning the details of the three-dimensional vorticity distribution and evolution in the far wake are limited. In this study, the three-dimensional vortex wake structure in both the near and far field of a dynamically scaled flapping wing was investigated experimentally, using volumetric three-component velocimetry. A single wing, with shape and kinematics similar to those of a fruitfly, was examined. The overall result of the wing action is to create an integrated vortex structure consisting of a tip vortex (TV), trailing-edge shear layer (TESL) and leading-edge vortex. The TESL rolls up into a root vortex (RV) as it is shed from the wing, and together with the TV, contracts radially and stretches tangentially in the downstream wake. The downwash is distributed in an arc-shaped region enclosed by the stretched tangential vorticity of the TVs and the RVs. A closed vortex ring structure is not observed in the current study owing to the lack of well-established starting and stopping vortex structures that smoothly connect the TV and RV. An evaluation of the vorticity transport equation shows that both the TV and the RV undergo vortex stretching while convecting downwards: a three-dimensional phenomenon in rotating flows. It also confirms that convection and secondary tilting and stretching effects dominate the evolution of vorticity.

Hydrodynamics and Flow Characterization of Tuna-Inspired Propulsion in Forward Swimming

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junshi Wang ◽  
Huy Tran ◽  
Martha Christino ◽  
Carl White ◽  
Joseph Zhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Underwater Vehicle ◽  
Numerical Approach ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Computational Effort ◽  
The Body ◽  
Hydrodynamic Performance ◽  
Immersed Boundary ◽  
Ring Structures

Abstract A combined experimental and numerical approach is employed to study the hydrodynamic performance and characterize the flow features of thunniform swimming by using a tuna-inspired underwater vehicle in forward swimming. The three-dimensional, time-dependent kinematics of the body-fin system of the underwater vehicle is obtained via a stereo-videographic technique. A high-fidelity computational model is then directly reconstructed based on the experimental data. A sharp-interface immersed-boundary-method (IBM) based incompressible flow solver is employed to compute the flow. The primary objective of the computational effort is to quantify the thrust performance of the model. The body kinematics and hydrodynamic performances are quantified and the dynamics of the vortex wake are analyzed. Results have shown significant leading-edge vortex at the caudal fin and unique vortex ring structures in the wake. The results from this work help to bring insight into understanding the thrust producing mechanism of thunniform swimming and to provide potential suggestions in improving the hydrodynamic performance of swimming underwater vehicles.

A simple vortex-loop-based model for unsteady rotating wings

2019 ◽  
Vol 880 ◽  
pp. 1020-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juhi Chowdhury ◽  
Matthew J. Ringuette
Keyword(s):  
Lift Force ◽  
Current Model ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Vortex Loop ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Semi Empirical ◽  
And Control ◽  
Angular Impulse

An analytical model is developed for the lift force produced by unsteady rotating wings; this configuration is a simple representation of a flapping wing. Modelling this is important for the aerodynamic and control-system design for bio-inspired drones. Such efforts have often been limited to being two-dimensional, semi-empirical, sometimes computationally expensive, or quasi-steady. The current model is unsteady and three-dimensional, yet simple to implement, requiring knowledge of only the wing kinematics and geometry. Rotating wings produce a vortex loop consisting of the root vortex, leading-edge vortex, tip vortex and trailing-edge vortex, which grows with time. This is modelled as a tilted planar loop, geometrically specified by the wing size, orientation and motion. By equating the angular impulse of the vortex loop to that of the fluid volume driven by the wing, the circulatory lift force is derived. Potential flow theory gives the fluid-inertial lift. Adding these two contributions yields the total lift formula. The model shows good agreement with a range of experimental and computational cases. Also, a steady-state lift model is developed that compares well with previous work for various angles of attack.

Wake Structures and Effect of Hydrofoil Shapes in Efficient Flapping Propulsion

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Kelly ◽  
Pan Han ◽  
Haibo Dong ◽  
Tyler Van Buren
Keyword(s):  
Shape Change ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Chord Length ◽  
Immersed Boundary ◽  
Shape Transformation ◽  
Propulsive Efficiency ◽  
Favorable Pressure Gradient ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Numerical Solver

Abstract In this work, direct numerical simulation (DNS) is used to investigate how airfoil shape affects wake structure and performance during a pitching-heaving motion. First, a class-shape transformation (CST) method is used to generate airfoil shapes. CST coefficients are then varied in a parametric study to create geometries that are simulated in a pitching and heaving motion via an immersed boundary method-based numerical solver. The results show that most coefficients have little effect on the propulsive efficiency, but the second coefficient does have a very large effect. Looking at the CST basis functions shows that the effect of this coefficient is concentrated near the 25% mark of the foils chord length. By observing the thrust force and hydrodynamic power through a period of motion it is shown that the effect of the foil shape change is realized near the middle of each flapping motion. Through further inspection of the wake structures, we conclude that this is due to the leading-edge vortex attaching better to the foil shapes with a larger thickness around 25% of the chord length. This is verified by the pressure contours, which show a lower pressure along the leading edge of the better performing foils. The more favorable pressure gradient generated allows for higher efficiency motion.

scholarly journals Numerical Investigation of a Dynamic Stall on a Single Rotating Blade

Aerospace ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Yin Ruan ◽  
Manfred Hajek
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Vortex Structure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Rotor Blades ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Dynamic Stall ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Pitching Airfoil ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
High Reynolds

Dynamic stall is a phenomenon on the retreating blade of a helicopter which can lead to excessive control loads. In order to understand dynamic stall and fill the gap between the investigations on pitching wings and full helicopter rotor blades, a numerical investigation of a single rotating and pitching blade is carried out. The flow phenomena thereupon including the Ω-shaped dynamic stall vortex, the interaction of the leading edge vortex with the tip vortex, and a newly noticed vortex structure originating inboard are examined; they show similarities to pitching wings, while also possessing their unique features of a rotating system. The leading edge/tip vortex interaction dominates the post-stall stage. A newly noticed swell structure is observed to have a great impact on the load in the post-stall stage. With such a high Reynolds number, the Coriolis force exerted on the leading edge vortex is negligible compared to the pressure force. The force history/vortex structure of the slice r/R = 0.898 is compared with a 2D pitching airfoil with the same harmonic pitch motion, and the current simulation shows the important role played by the swell structure in the recovery stage.

How dorsal fin sharpness affects swimming speed and economy

2019 ◽  
Vol 878 ◽  
pp. 370-385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiang Zhong ◽  
Haibo Dong ◽  
Daniel B. Quinn
Keyword(s):  
Swimming Speed ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Caudal Fin ◽  
Fish Model ◽  
Dorsal Fin ◽  
Flow Interactions ◽  
Edge Vortex

Multi-fin systems, like fish or fish-inspired vehicles, are governed by unsteady three-dimensional interactions between their multiple fins. In particular, dorsal/anal fins have received much attention because they are just upstream of the main thrust-producing fin: the caudal (tail) fin. We used a tuna-inspired fish model with variable fin sharpness to study the interaction between elongated dorsal/anal fins and caudal fins. We found that the performance enhancement is stronger than previously thought (15 % increase in swimming speed and 50 % increase in swimming economy) and is governed by a three-dimensional dorsal-fin-induced cross-flow that lowers the angle of attack on the caudal fin and promotes spanwise flow. Both simulations and multi-layer particle image velocimetry reveal that the cross-flow stabilizes the leading edge vortex on the caudal fin, similar to how wing strakes prevent stall during fixed-wing aircraft manoeuvres. Unlike other fin–fin interactions, this mechanism is phase-insensitive and offers a simple, passive solution for flow control over oscillating propulsors. Our results therefore improve our understanding of multi-fin flow interactions and suggest new insights into dorsal/anal fin shape and placement in fish and fish-inspired vehicles.

scholarly journals Rotor performance enhancement through blade surging

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 175682931984427
Author(s):  
T Bensebaa ◽  
T Jardin ◽  
S Prothin ◽  
N Doue
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Short Paper ◽  
Optimal Frequency ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Disk Plane ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Rotor Disk

This short paper introduces a new concept of rotor where the blades undergo a periodic surging motion in the rotor disk plane. It is shown that the unsteady actuation induces aerodynamic phenomenon that can enhance both rotor thrust and efficiency, depending on the amplitude and frequency of actuation. In particular, the increase in aerodynamic performance is found to correlate with the development of a large scale leading edge vortex. Accordingly, the optimal frequency is found to correlate with the formation time of this vortex.

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