Dynamic analysis of drag-based vibratory swimmers using higher-order averaging

Abstract

This paper discusses the mathematical modeling, dynamic analysis, and design optimization of a class of drag-based vibratory swimmers using averaging. A typical swimmer of this class consists of a surface or subsurface main body, an oscillatory mass inside the body, and a rigid fin attached to the main body using torsional springs and immersed in water. This paper takes advantage of third-order averaging techniques for dynamic analysis and design optimization of the swimmer for high frequencies. The averaged dynamics are used for determining the optimum stiffness of the springs for maximizing the average speed of the swimmer for high-frequency motion of the oscillatory mass. Experimental results confirm the general response of the mathematical model.