Adaptive Swimming of Underwater Snake-like Robot in Different Underwater Environment

Hydrodynamic force is an important factor that affects the performance of underwater vehicle.Adapting to the current underwater environment by changing its shape is an important feature of underwater snake-like robots(USLR).An experiment was implemented to verify the swimming along the straight line of USLR.A simulation platform is also established for the analysis of the swimming of USLR.To figure out adaptive swimming of USLR to different underwater environments,the relationships between CPG parameters and maximum swimming speed have been discussed,and the switching between different swimming modes has been implemented.

Dynamic Model of Underwater Snake-Like Robot Using Kane's Method

In this paper, a dynamic model for an underwater snake-like robot is developed based on Kane's dynamic equations. This methodology allows construction of the dynamic model simply and incrementally. The partial velocity is deduced. The forces which contribute to dynamics are determined by Kane's approach. The generalized active forces and the generalized inertia forces are deduced. The model developed in this paper includes inertia force, inertia moment, gravity, control torques, and three major hydrodynamic forces: added mass, profile drag and buoyancy. The equations of hydrodynamic forces are deduced. Kane's method provides a direct approach for incorporating external environmental forces into the model. The dynamic model developed in this paper is obtained in a closed form which is well suited for control purposes. It is also computationally efficient and has physical insight into what forces really influence the system dynamics. The simulation result shows that the proposed method is feasible.

Simulation Platform for the Underwater Snake-Like Robot Swimming Based on Kane's Dynamic Model and Central Pattern Generator

A systematic method for swimming control of the underwater snake-like robot is still lacking. We construct a simulation platform of the underwater snake-like robot swimming based on Kane's dynamic model and central pattern generator(CPG). The partial velocity is deduced. The forces which contribute to dynamics are determined by Kane's approach. Hydrodynamic coefficients are determined by experiments. Then, we design a CPG-based control architecture implemented as the system of coupled nonlinear oscillators. The CPG, like its biological counterpart, can produce coordinated patterns of rhythmic activity while being modulated by simple control parameters. The relations between the CPG parameters and the speed of the underwater snake-like robot swimming are investigated. Swimming in a straight line, turning, and switching between swimming modes are implemented in our simulation platform to prove the feasibility of the proposed simulation platform. The results show that the simulation platform can imitate different swimming modes of the underwater snake-like robot.

A Dynamic Model of an Underwater Quadruped Walking Robot Using Kane's Method

In this paper, the kinematics and dynamics of an underwater quadruped walking robot were derived based on Kane dynamic equations. This methodology allows construction of the dynamic model simply and incrementally. The velocity and angular velocity components of an underwater quadruped walking robot were served as the generalized velocities. The forces which contribute to dynamics of an underwater quadruped walking robot were determined by Kane's approach. The equations of hydrodynamic forces of an underwater quadruped walking robot were deduced. Hydrodynamic coefficients were determined by experiments. The dynamic model was established by obtaining the generalized active forces and the generalized inertia forces. Numerical simulations of the walking behavior on underwater flat ground were implemented to verify the dynamic model of an underwater quadruped walking robot. Simulation results show that the dynamic model is correct.