Investigating the Influence of Counterflow Regions on the Hydrodynamic Performance of Biomimetic Robotic Fish

Abstract

Biomimetic robotic fish are a novel approach to studying quiet, highly agile, and efficient underwater propulsion systems, attracting significant interest from experts in robotics and engineering. These versatile robots showcase their ability to operate effectively in various water conditions. Nevertheless, the comprehension of the swimming mechanics and the evolution of the flow field of flexible robots in counterflow regions is still unknown. This paper presents a framework for the self-propulsion of robotic fish that imitates biological characteristics. The method utilizes computational fluid dynamics to analyze the hydrodynamic efficiency of the organisms at different frequencies of tail movement, under both still and opposing flow circumstances. Moreover, this study clarifies the mechanisms that explain how changes in the aquatic environment affect the speed and efficiency of propulsion. It also examines the most effective swimming tactics for places with counterflow. The results suggest that the propulsion effectiveness of robotic fish in counterflow locations does not consistently correspond to various tail-beat frequencies. By utilizing vorticity maps, a comparative analysis can identify situations when counterflow zones improve the efficiency of propulsion.