A Study on Force Generated by Gymnotiform Undulating Fin

Abstract

Underwater vehicles inspired by the motion of fish can generate a highly efficient force. This paper considers the gymnotiform undulating fin which imitates the motion of South American black ghost knifefish. The equations of the force generated by both continuous and discontinuous sine wave are established. Using these equations, the factors influencing this force are determined. The results in computational method, experimental method and 2D simulation method are matched and suggest the set of three prevalent factors, namely frequency, amplitude and wavelength.