The Effects of Caudal Fin Shape on the Propulsion Performance of Flapping Caudal Fin

Abstract

Abstract: A comprehensive study was presented on the effects of the caudal fin shape on the propulsion performance of a harmonically heaving and pitching caudal fin. A biocaudal fin propulsion mechanics was designed and a series of hydrodynamic experiments for three caudal fin shapes (the whale caudal fin, the dolphin caudal fin, and the tuna caudal fin) were performed. Then numerical simulations were done. Both the experimental and computational results indicate that the tuna caudal fin produces the highest efficiency, although the mean thrust coefficient and input power coefficient of the tuna caudal fin was the smallest. The characteristics of wake were analyzed to find that not only the wake scale of the tuna caudal fin is the smallest, but also the vorticity magnitude of the tuna caudal fin is the weakest.

Key words: flapping caudal fin, caudal fin shape, propulsion performance, wake

CLC Number:

O357

ZHANG Xi, SU Yu-Min, WANG Zhao-Li. The Effects of Caudal Fin Shape on the Propulsion Performance of Flapping Caudal Fin[J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2012, 46(02): 296-300.

References

［1］Liu P, Bose N. Hydrodynamic characteristics of a lunate shape oscillating propulsion ［J］. Ocean Engineering, 1999, 20(1): 519529.
［2］程健宇,庄礼贤,童秉纲. 新月形尾鳍推进的流体力学分析［J］. 力学学报,1992,24(4)：458465.
CHENG Jianyu, ZHUANG Lixian, TONG Binggang. Hydromechanical analysis of lunatetail swimming propulsion ［J］. Acta Mechanica Sinica, 1992, 24(4): 458465.
［3］刘军考,陈维山,陈在礼. 尾鳍的形状与运动参数对推进速度的影响［J］. 高技术通信, 2001（4）：8688.
LIU Junkao, CHEN Weishan, CHEN Zaili. The effect of caudal fins shape and motion parameters on propulsion velocity［J］. Journal of High Technology, 2001(4): 8688.
［4］李龙,尹协振. 鲹科类鱼尾模型的巡游推进特性实验研究［J］. 实验流体力学, 2008,22(1)：16.
LI Long, YIN Xiezhen. Experiments on propulsive characteristics of the caudalfin models of carangiform fish in cruise ［J］. Journal of Experiments in Fluid Mechanics, 2008, 22(1): 16.
［5］YAN Hui, SU Yumin, YANG Liang. Experimentation of fish swimming based on tracking locomotion locus ［J］. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2008, 5(3):258263.
［6］Yang L, Su Y M. CFD simulation of flow features and vorticity structures in tunalike swimming ［J］. China Ocean Engineering, 2011:25(1): 7382.
［7］Wang Z D, Lao Y J, Li L, et al. Experiment on the characteristic of 3D vortex ring behind a flexible oscillating caudal fin ［J］. Journal of Hydrodynamics, Ser B, 2010, 22(3): 393401.
［8］Hover F S, Haugsdal Ф, Triantafyllou M S. Effect of angle of attack profiles in flapping foil propulsion ［J］. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2004, 19(1): 3747.
［9］Anderson J M, Streitlien K, Barrett D S, et al. Oscillating foils of high propulsive efficiency ［J］. Journal of Fluid Mech, 1998, 36(2): 4172.
［10］Read D A, Hover F S, Triantafyllou M S. Forces on oscillating foils for propulsion and maneuvering ［J］. Journal of Fluids and Structures, 2003, 17(1):163183.
［11］Wang H M, Zou Z J, Tian X M. Computation of the viscous hydrodynamic forces on a KVLCC2 model moving obliquely in shallow water ［J］. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2009, 14(2):241244.

[1]	CHEN Liangwen, ZHU Yuxin, SHEN Tao, YU Yifan, LING Xiao, SHENG Qinghong. Deep Learning-Based Infrared Ship Target Wake Matching and Detection Algorithm [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2026, 9(1): 80-90.
[2]	ZHU Yiqing, WU Feng, ZHOU Dai, HAN Zhaolong, ZHUO Yang, ZHU Hongbo, ZHANG Kai. Structural Dynamic Response of Offshore Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine Subjected to Wake-Induced Action [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2025, 59(8): 1081-1091.
[3]	XIA Yilin, LIU Gang, YAN Congqiang, CAI Yunze. Research on Deep Learning-Based Rotation Detection Algorithms for Ship Wakes in SAR Images [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2025, 8(5): 64-74.
[4]	YANG Yinghe, WEI Handi, FAN Dixia, LI Ang. Optimization Method of Underwater Flapping Foil Propulsion Performance Based on Gaussian Process Regression and Deep Reinforcement Learning [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2025, 59(1): 70-78.
[5]	YU Hao, LI Canbing, YE Zhiliang, PENG Sui, REN Wanxin, CHEN Sijie, TANG Binwei, CHEN Dawei. Dynamic Equivalence Modeling of Short-Circuit Faults in Wind Farms Considering Wake Effects [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2024, 58(6): 798-805.
[6]	YAN Congqiang^1,2 (鄢丛强), GUO Zhengyun^3,4 (郭正玉), CAI Yunze^1,2∗∗ (蔡云泽). Data Augmentation of Ship Wakes in SAR Images Based on Improved CycleGAN [J]. J Shanghai Jiaotong Univ Sci, 2024, 29(4): 702-711.
[7]	ZHANG Qin, WANG Xinyu, WANG Zhicheng, WANG Tianyuan. Wake Field Characteristics of Non-Ducted and Ducted Propellers in Large-Angle Oblique Flow [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2023, 57(11): 1432-1441.
[8]	YAO Shengjian, YAN Guozheng, WANG Zhiwu, ZHOU Zerun, JIANG Pingping, DING Zifan, HUA Fangfang, ZHAO Kai, HAN Ding. Low-Power Consumption Design and Optimization of New Artificial Anal Sphincter [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2021, 55(7): 899-906.
[9]	XIE Hairun,WU Yadong,OUYANG Hua,WANG Anzheng. Modal Analysis of Wake Induced Vibration Transient Process Based on POD and DMD [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2020, 54(2): 176-185.
[10]	ZHAO Ting, WANG Shentao, NIU Lin, XI Peili, CAI Yunze. Detection Algorithm of Ship Wake in SAR Images [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2020, 54(12): 1259-1268.
[11]	DING Liping, HONG Lin, ZHANG Gang, ZHANG Shuai, CAO Jianfeng. Adaptive Topology Based Energy Saving Technology of Universal Weapon Power Supply [J]. Air & Space Defense, 2020, 3(1): 23-29.
[12]	SONG Kewei,GUO Chunyu,GONG Jie,LI Ping,WANG Wei. Numerical Study on the Effect of Interceptors on the Resistance and Wake Field of Twin-Screw Ship [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2019, 53(8): 957-964.
[13]	DUAN Ningyuan (段宁远), CHEN Ke* (陈科), WANG Hongwei (王宏伟), YOU Yunxiang (尤云祥). Characteristics of the Internal Waves Generated by a Towed Model with Rotating Propeller Under a Strong Halocline [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Science), 2019, 24(2): 176-183.
[14]	GUO Chunyu，LIU Tian，ZHAO Qingxin，HAO Haohao. The Analysis of Nominal Wake Flow Characteristics in Short Wave [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiaotong University, 2019, 53(2): 170-178.
[15]	YAO Huilan, ZHANG Huaixin. Improvements of Scaling Method Recommended by ITTC at a Lower Reynolds Number Range [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 2019, 53(1): 35-41.