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arXiv · 1801.09714

Bio-inspired underwater propulsors

Tyler Van Buren·Daniel Floryan·Alexander Smits
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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 This document will be a book chapter, which at the moment is unpublished.

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Tyler Van Buren, Daniel Floryan, Alexander Smits. 2018-01-29. Bio-inspired underwater propulsors. https://arxiv.org/abs/1801.09714

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