On the Impulse Produced by Chordwise Flexible Pitching Foils in a Quiescent Fluid

Abstract

In this paper, a parametric study showing the impulsive performance of foils with different flexural stiffness pitching in a quiescent fluid is presented. A wide range of Reynolds numbers (different imposed kinematics) and foil rigidities is covered, depicting how flexibility effects on impulse are more important at the largest Reynolds numbers. The impulsive performance of the system is derived from direct thrust force measurements. Passive flexibility alters vortex strength and formation in the wake of the pitching foil. These changes in the wake formation can be used to explain the differences in the measured impulses. The wake dynamics is studied after quantitative analysis of particle image velocimetry data, and it is linked to the momentum transfer generated by the foil.