Accession Number:

ADA616721

Title:

An Investigation into Ground Effect for an Underwater Biologically Inspired Flapping Foil

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

RHODE ISLAND UNIV KINGSTON

Personal Author(s):

• Chierico, Paulstephen

Report Date:

2014-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

93.0

Abstract:

The topic was whether there is a lift and thrust benefit to flapping an underwater, biologically inspired three dimensional foil near the solid bottom surface so that it was in ground effect. Data proved in all sixteen experimental cases for varying Strouhal number and maximum angle of attack that the mean lift coefficient near the bottom was larger than that in the freestream. Only under certain kinematic conditions was the mean thrust coefficient larger near the bottom than that in the freestream. The largest useful change in maximum instantaneous lift force was 14. Benefit was larger than 1 deg pitch bias difference at a zero mean lift coefficient. Largest change in mean thrust coefficient was 8.

Descriptors:

• *FINS
• ANGLE OF ATTACK
• BIONICS
• FREE STREAM
• GROUND EFFECT
• LIFT
• OCEAN BOTTOM
• STROUHAL NUMBER
• THESES
• THREE DIMENSIONAL
• THRUST
• UNDERWATER

Subject Categories:

• Fluid Mechanics
• Bionics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE