Dynamic Modeling of a Compliant Tail-Propelled Robotic Fish

Author(s):  
Vladislav Kopman ◽  
Jeffrey Laut ◽  
Maurizio Porfiri ◽  
Francesco Acquaviva ◽  
Alessandro Rizzo

This paper presents a dynamic model for a class of robotic fish propelled by a tail with a flexible fin. The robot is comprised of a rigid frontal link acting as a body and a rear link serving as the tail. The tail includes a rigid component, hinged to the body through a servomotor, which is connected to a compliant caudal fin whose underwater vibration induces the propulsion. The robot’s body dynamics is modeled using Kirchhoff’s equations of motion of bodies in quiescent fluids, while its tail motion is described with Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, accounting for the effect of the encompassing fluid through the Morison equation. Simulation data of the model is compared with experimental data. Applications of the model include simulation, prediction, design optimization, and control.

Author(s):  
Jianxun Wang ◽  
Philip K. McKinley ◽  
Xiaobo Tan

In this paper, we develop a new dynamic model for a robotic fish propelled by a flexible tail actuated at the base. The tail is modeled by multiple rigid segments connected in series through rotational springs and dampers, and the hydrodynamic force on each segment is evaluated using Lighthill's large-amplitude elongated-body theory. For comparison, we also construct a model using linear beam theory to capture the beam dynamics. To assess the accuracy of the models, we conducted experiments with a free-swimming robotic fish. The results show that the two models have almost identical predictions when the tail undergoes small deformation, but only the proposed multisegment model matches the experimental measurement closely for all tail motions, demonstrating its promise in the optimization and control of tail-actuated robotic fish.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junzhi Yu ◽  
Kai Wang ◽  
Min Tan ◽  
Jianwei Zhang

This paper focuses on the development and control issues of a self-propelled robotic fish with multiple artificial control surfaces and an embedded vision system. By virtue of the hybrid propulsion capability in the body plus the caudal fin and the complementary maneuverability in accessory fins, a synthesized propulsion scheme including a caudal fin, a pair of pectoral fins, and a pelvic fin is proposed. To achieve flexible yet stable motions in aquatic environments, a central pattern generator- (CPG-) based control method is employed. Meanwhile, a monocular underwater vision serves as sensory feedback that modifies the control parameters. The integration of the CPG-based motion control and the visual processing in an embedded microcontroller allows the robotic fish to navigate online. Aquatic tests demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed mechatronic design and swimming control methods. Particularly, a pelvic fin actuated sideward swimming gait was first implemented. It is also found that the speeds and maneuverability of the robotic fish with coordinated control surfaces were largely superior to that of the swimming robot propelled by a single control surface.


1991 ◽  
Vol 334 (1271) ◽  
pp. 385-390 ◽  

A simple two-dimensional rod and pivot model is proposed for the mechanical structure of the lamprey, each pivot being controlled by a muscle segment attached via perpendicular extensions to the two rods. The elastic and viscous properties of the body tissues (including muscle) are described as linear functions of the relative displacement and angular velocity of the rods at each pivot. The contractile properties of the muscle are introduced as time-dependent forcing torques at the pivots, which are generated by a travelling wave of activation. The angles between the rods at each pivot are used as adapted coordinates, and the equations of motion are linearized by assuming low curvature dynamics, corresponding to slow swimming speeds. Investigation of these equations with varying viscous and elastic parameters leads to a reconstruction of a lamprey viewed in motion on a smooth flat surface out of water. The most striking feature is of an apparently standing wave motion, which is indeed observed in the real animal but which on careful examination in the model corresponds to a travelling wave of varying amplitude.


Author(s):  
L. D. Akulenko ◽  
D. D. Leshchenko ◽  
T. A. Kozachenko

Perturbed rotations of a rigid body close to the regular precession in the Lagrangian case under the action of a restoring moment depending on slow time and nutation angle, as well as a perturbing moment slowly varying with time, are studied. The body is assumed to spin rapidly, and the restoring and perturbing moments are assumed to be small with a certain hierarchy of smallness of the components. A first approximation averaged system of equations of motion for an essentially nonlinear two-frequency system is obtained in the nonresonance case. Examples of motion of a body under the action of particular restoring, perturbing, and control moments of force are considered.


Author(s):  
Ebrahim Esmailzadeh ◽  
Mehrdaad Ghorashi

Abstract An investigation into the dynamic behavior of a bridge with simply supported boundary conditions, carrying a moving vehicle, is performed. The vehicle has been modelled as a two degree of freedom lumped-parameter system travelling at a uniform speed. Furthermore, the bridge is assumed to obey the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory of vibration. This analysis may well be applied to a beam with different boundary conditions, but the computer simulation results given in this paper are set for only the case of freely hinged ends. Numerical solutions for the derived differential equations of motion are obtained and their close agreement, in some extreme cases, with those reported earlier by the authors are observed. Finally, the effect of speed on the maximum dynamic deflection of bridge is shown to be of much importance and hence an estimation for the critical speed of the vehicle is presented.


2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (1137) ◽  
pp. 625-640
Author(s):  
K. Ro ◽  
J. W. Kamman ◽  
J. B. Barlow

Abstract The free-wing tilt-body aircraft refers to a vehicle configuration in which the wing, fuselage, and empennage are in a longitudinally articulated connection. This allows the main wing to freely rotate relative to the body, while the empennage, which is in the form of a long twin boom connected to the rear of the body, changes its incidence angle relative to the body in response to external commands. The principal advantages claimed for the configuration are short takeoff and landing capability, and reduced gust sensitivity. The aerodynamics of the free-wing tilt-body configuration has been previously studied, but analysis of its flight mechanics is limited. In this paper we present derivations of the flight dynamic equations of motion using multi-body dynamic modelling techniques, and combine the resulting equations of motion with experimental aerodynamic data to achieve a nonlinear mathematical model for flight simulation of a generic free-wing tilt-body vehicle. The mathematical model is suitable for the study of detailed dynamic characteristics as well as for model based control law synthesis. Key flight performance, and stability and control characteristics of a generic configuration are obtained from the mathematical model.


Author(s):  
Pezhman A. Hassanpour ◽  
Kamran Behdinan

In this paper, the model of a micro-machined beam-type resonator is presented. The resonator is a micro-bridge which is modeled using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. A comb-drive electrostatic actuator is attached to the micro-bridge for the excitation/detection of vibrations. In the models presented in the literature, it is assumed that the center of mass of the comb-drive is located on the neutral axis of the beam. In this paper, it is demonstrated that this assumption can not be applied for asymmetric-shaped comb-drives. Furthermore, the governing equations of motion are derived by relaxing the above assumption. It has been shown that the off-axis center of mass of the comb-drive generates an amplitude-dependent transverse force in the beam, which is essentially a nonlinear effect. The governing equations of motion are solved using a hybrid analytical-numerical approach. The end application of the structure under investigation is in resonant sensing and energy harvesting applications.


Author(s):  
Pezhman A. Hassanpour

A model of a clamped-clamped beam with an attached lumped mass is presented in this paper. The system is modeled using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. In the models presented in literature, it is assumed that the center of mass of the attached mass is located on the neutral axis of the beam. In this paper, this assumption is relaxed. The governing equations of motion are derived. It has been shown that the off-axis center of mass of the attached mass generates an amplitude-dependent transverse force in the beam, which introduces a quadratic nonlinearity. The nonlinear governing equations of motion are solved using the Multiple Scales method. The nonlinear free vibration frequencies are determined.


1976 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 210-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. P. Paidoussis ◽  
B. E. Laithier

The dynamics of pipes conveying fluid is described by means of the Timoshenko beam theory. The equations of motion are derived and solved ( a) by a finite-difference technique, and ( b) by a variational method. It is shown that the latter is the more efficient method. The eigenfrequencies of the system and its stability characteristics are compared with results obtained previously using the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, and it is shown that in certain cases (e.g. short pipes) the two sets of results diverge. Experiments indicate that the present theory is more successful in predicting the observed behaviour. Furthermore, the present theory shows that, in some cases, cantilevered pipes may lose stability by buckling, whereas previous theories indicate that the system always loses stability by flutter.


Author(s):  
Pezhman A. Hassanpour ◽  
Patricia M. Nieva ◽  
Amir Khajepour

In this paper, the dynamics of a micro-machined structure with three parallel cantilevers is investigated. The cantilevers are electrically charged and apply electrostatic force to each other. The governing equations of motion are derived using Euler-Bernoulli beam theory and considering structural modal damping. The stability condition of the beams for various electric charges is also studied. In addition, the equations of motion are integrated to obtain the response of the beams in time-domain for a range of initial conditions. This response is used to study the behavior of the beams at the stability margin. The end application of the structure under investigation is in the device characterization. The dynamic stability condition and time-domain responses are used to investigate the reliability of the characterization. Once translated back to physical quantities, these results can be used for improving the measurements.


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