Hydrodynamic development of a bionic pectoral fin for undersea monitoring platform

Bionic pectoral fins play an essential role in achieving the superior swimming ability of the bio-inspired undersea monitoring platform by producing desired movements and propulsion forces. This paper discusses the hydrodynamic modelling and experiments of a bionic pectoral fin inspired by the cownose ray. A simplified hydrodynamic model of the oscillatory bionic pectoral fin is built. A physical prototype of the bionic pectoral fin is developed based on the structure and movement parameters extracted from the cownose ray. Performances of the bionic pectoral fin in producing lift force and propulsion force are tested using a towing-tank experimental platform and compared with the results from corresponding simulations. Feasibility of the hydrodynamic simulation and the bionic design method are verified.