Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta
The manta is the largest marine organism to swim by dorsoventral oscillation (flapping) of the pectoral fins. The manta has been considered to swim with a high efficiency stroke, but this assertion has not been previously examined. The oscillatory swimming strokes of the manta were examined by detai...
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doaj-361d2a3f06ca48b3a075d7af8f5c49cf2020-11-25T01:05:49ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102016-07-01332010.3390/aerospace3030020aerospace3030020Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the MantaFrank E. Fish0Christian M. Schreiber1Keith W. Moored2Geng Liu3Haibo Dong4Hilary Bart-Smith5Department of Biology, West Chester University, West Chester, PA 19383, USAGeorgia Aquarium, Atlanta, GA 30313, USADepartment of Mechanical Engineering and Mechanics, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 18015, USADepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USADepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USADepartment of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USAThe manta is the largest marine organism to swim by dorsoventral oscillation (flapping) of the pectoral fins. The manta has been considered to swim with a high efficiency stroke, but this assertion has not been previously examined. The oscillatory swimming strokes of the manta were examined by detailing the kinematics of the pectoral fin movements swimming over a range of speeds and by analyzing simulations based on computational fluid dynamic potential flow and viscous models. These analyses showed that the fin movements are asymmetrical up- and downstrokes with both spanwise and chordwise waves interposed into the flapping motions. These motions produce complex three-dimensional flow patterns. The net thrust for propulsion was produced from the distal half of the fins. The vortex flow pattern and high propulsive efficiency of 89% were associated with Strouhal numbers within the optimal range (0.2–0.4) for rays swimming at routine and high speeds. Analysis of the swimming pattern of the manta provided a baseline for creation of a bio-inspired underwater vehicle, MantaBot.http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/3/3/20mobuliformefficiencykinematicsflexibilityStrouhal number |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Frank E. Fish Christian M. Schreiber Keith W. Moored Geng Liu Haibo Dong Hilary Bart-Smith |
spellingShingle |
Frank E. Fish Christian M. Schreiber Keith W. Moored Geng Liu Haibo Dong Hilary Bart-Smith Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta Aerospace mobuliform efficiency kinematics flexibility Strouhal number |
author_facet |
Frank E. Fish Christian M. Schreiber Keith W. Moored Geng Liu Haibo Dong Hilary Bart-Smith |
author_sort |
Frank E. Fish |
title |
Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta |
title_short |
Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta |
title_full |
Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta |
title_fullStr |
Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta |
title_full_unstemmed |
Hydrodynamic Performance of Aquatic Flapping: Efficiency of Underwater Flight in the Manta |
title_sort |
hydrodynamic performance of aquatic flapping: efficiency of underwater flight in the manta |
publisher |
MDPI AG |
series |
Aerospace |
issn |
2226-4310 |
publishDate |
2016-07-01 |
description |
The manta is the largest marine organism to swim by dorsoventral oscillation (flapping) of the pectoral fins. The manta has been considered to swim with a high efficiency stroke, but this assertion has not been previously examined. The oscillatory swimming strokes of the manta were examined by detailing the kinematics of the pectoral fin movements swimming over a range of speeds and by analyzing simulations based on computational fluid dynamic potential flow and viscous models. These analyses showed that the fin movements are asymmetrical up- and downstrokes with both spanwise and chordwise waves interposed into the flapping motions. These motions produce complex three-dimensional flow patterns. The net thrust for propulsion was produced from the distal half of the fins. The vortex flow pattern and high propulsive efficiency of 89% were associated with Strouhal numbers within the optimal range (0.2–0.4) for rays swimming at routine and high speeds. Analysis of the swimming pattern of the manta provided a baseline for creation of a bio-inspired underwater vehicle, MantaBot. |
topic |
mobuliform efficiency kinematics flexibility Strouhal number |
url |
http://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/3/3/20 |
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