Bio-inspired Actuating System for Swimming Using Shape Memory Alloy Composites

The paper addresses the designs of a caudal peduncle actuator, which is able to furnish a thrust for swimming of a robotic fish. The caudal peduncle actuator is based on concepts of ferromagnetic shape memory alloy （FSMA） composite and hybrid mechanism that can provide a fast response and a strong thrust. The caudal peduncle actuator was inspired by Scomber Scombrus which utilises thunniform mode swimming, which is the most efficient locomotion mode evolved in the aquatic environment, where the thrust is generated by the lift-based method, allowing high cruising speeds to be maintained for a long period of time. The morphology of an average size Scomber Scombrus （length in 310 mm） was investigated, and a 1：1 scale caudal peduncle actuator prototype was modelled and fabricated. The propulsive wave characteristics of the fish at steady speeds were employed as initial design objectives. Some key design parameters are investigated, i.e. aspect ratio （AR） （AR = 3.49）, Reynolds number （Re = 429 649）, reduced frequency （σ = 1.03）, Strouhal number （St = 0.306） and the maximum strain of the bent tail was estimated at ε = 1.11% which is in the range of superelasticity. The experimental test of the actuator was carried out in a water tank. By applying 7 V and 2.5 A, the actuator can reach the tip-to-tip rotational angle of 85° at 4 Hz.

Design,Modeling,and Control of Biomimetic Fish Robot:A Review

A comprehensive review on bio-inspired fish robots has been done in this article with an enhanced focus on swimming styles,actuators,hydrodynamics,kinematic-dynamic modeling,and controllers.Swimming styles such as body and/or caudal fin and median and/or paired fin and their variants are discussed in detail.Literature shows that most fish robots adapt carangiform in body and/or caudal fin type swimming as it gives significant thrust with a maximum speed of 3.7 ms 1 in iSplash-II.Applications of smart or soft actuators to enhance real-time dynamics was studied from literature,and it was found that the robot built with polymer fiber composite material could reach a speed of 0.6 m s However,dynamic modeling is relatively complex,and material selection needs to be explored.The numerical and analytical methods in dynamic modeling have been investigated highlighting merits and demerits.Hydrodynamic parameter estimation through the data-driven model is widely used in offline,however online estimation of the same need to be explored.Classical controllers are frequently used tor navigation and stabilization,which often encounters the linearization problem and hence,can be replaced with the state-of-the-art adaptive and intelligent controller.This article also summarizes the potential research gaps and future scopes.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF FISH SWIMMING WITH RIGID PECTORAL FINS

The numerical simulation of the self-propelled motion of a fish with a pair of rigid pectoral fins is presented.A Navier-Stokes equation solver incorporating with the multi-block and overset grid method is developed to deal with the multi-body and moving body problems.The lift-based swimming mode is selected for the fin motion.In the lift-based swimming mode,the fin can generate great thrust and at the same time have no generation of lift force.It can be found when a pair of rigid pectoral fins generates the hydrodynamic moment,it may also generate a lateral force opposite to the centripetal direction,which has adverse effect on the turn motion of the fish.Furthermore,the periodic vortex structure generation and shedding,and their effects on the generation of hydrodynamic force are also demonstrated in this article.