A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters
Recent studies indicate that nature-inspired thrusters based on flexible oscillating foils show enhanced propulsive performance. However, understanding the underlying physics of the fluid−structure interaction (FSI) is essential to improve the efficiency of existing devices and pave the wa...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/1/56 |
| _version_ | 1818439920495099904 |
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| author | Dimitra E. Anevlavi Evangelos S. Filippas Angeliki E. Karperaki Kostas A. Belibassakis |
| author_facet | Dimitra E. Anevlavi Evangelos S. Filippas Angeliki E. Karperaki Kostas A. Belibassakis |
| author_sort | Dimitra E. Anevlavi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Recent studies indicate that nature-inspired thrusters based on flexible oscillating foils show enhanced propulsive performance. However, understanding the underlying physics of the fluid−structure interaction (FSI) is essential to improve the efficiency of existing devices and pave the way for novel energy-efficient marine thrusters. In the present work, we investigate the effect of chord-wise flexibility on the propulsive performance of flapping-foil thrusters. For this purpose, a numerical method has been developed to simulate the time-dependent structural response of the flexible foil that undergoes prescribed large general motions. The fluid flow model is based on potential theory, whereas the elastic response of the foil is approximated by means of the classical Kirchhoff−Love theory for thin plates under cylindrical bending. The fully coupled FSI problem is treated numerically with a non-linear BEM−FEM scheme. The validity of the proposed scheme is established through comparisons against existing works. The performance of the flapping-foil thrusters over a range of design parameters, including flexural rigidity, Strouhal number, heaving and pitching amplitudes is also studied. The results show a propulsive efficiency enhancement of up to 6% for such systems with moderate loss in thrust, compared to rigid foils. Finally, the present model after enhancement could serve as a useful tool in the design, assessment and control of flexible biomimetic flapping-foil thrusters. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:04:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1aa7ade9a4c84fa79561ed7ea98fe1d0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1312 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T18:04:08Z |
| publishDate | 2020-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Marine Science and Engineering |
| spelling | doaj.art-1aa7ade9a4c84fa79561ed7ea98fe1d02022-12-21T22:52:24ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122020-01-01815610.3390/jmse8010056jmse8010056A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil ThrustersDimitra E. Anevlavi0Evangelos S. Filippas1Angeliki E. Karperaki2Kostas A. Belibassakis3School of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, GreeceSchool of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, GreeceSchool of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, GreeceSchool of Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 15780 Athens, GreeceRecent studies indicate that nature-inspired thrusters based on flexible oscillating foils show enhanced propulsive performance. However, understanding the underlying physics of the fluid−structure interaction (FSI) is essential to improve the efficiency of existing devices and pave the way for novel energy-efficient marine thrusters. In the present work, we investigate the effect of chord-wise flexibility on the propulsive performance of flapping-foil thrusters. For this purpose, a numerical method has been developed to simulate the time-dependent structural response of the flexible foil that undergoes prescribed large general motions. The fluid flow model is based on potential theory, whereas the elastic response of the foil is approximated by means of the classical Kirchhoff−Love theory for thin plates under cylindrical bending. The fully coupled FSI problem is treated numerically with a non-linear BEM−FEM scheme. The validity of the proposed scheme is established through comparisons against existing works. The performance of the flapping-foil thrusters over a range of design parameters, including flexural rigidity, Strouhal number, heaving and pitching amplitudes is also studied. The results show a propulsive efficiency enhancement of up to 6% for such systems with moderate loss in thrust, compared to rigid foils. Finally, the present model after enhancement could serve as a useful tool in the design, assessment and control of flexible biomimetic flapping-foil thrusters.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/1/56flexible flapping foilscoupled bem–femhydroelasticityunsteady marine thruster |
| spellingShingle | Dimitra E. Anevlavi Evangelos S. Filippas Angeliki E. Karperaki Kostas A. Belibassakis A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters Journal of Marine Science and Engineering flexible flapping foils coupled bem–fem hydroelasticity unsteady marine thruster |
| title | A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters |
| title_full | A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters |
| title_fullStr | A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters |
| title_short | A Non-Linear BEM–FEM Coupled Scheme for the Performance of Flexible Flapping-Foil Thrusters |
| title_sort | non linear bem fem coupled scheme for the performance of flexible flapping foil thrusters |
| topic | flexible flapping foils coupled bem–fem hydroelasticity unsteady marine thruster |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/8/1/56 |
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