Numerical Study on Bio-mimetic Flapping Foil Propulsion System in Open Water Condition

The hydrodynamic performance of lunate tail fin propulsion inspired from Thunniform type of locomotion is analyzed numerically. The crescent-shaped foil is modeled using the NACA0012 section with a maximum cord length of 0.15m and an aspect ratio of 1.86. To mimic the exact foil motion of fishes, two actuators are used, each of them will give an oscillatory output to the foil so that the combined sway and yaw motion for the foil is obtained. The hydrodynamic performance of the flapping foil is investigated for different oscillation amplitudes and phase variations between the sway and yaw motions.