Conceptual design and preliminary analysis on bio-inspired squid micro AUV

Abstract

This paper proposed a novel design prototype of micro autonomous underwater vehicle (uAUV) which utilizes contractile water jet thruster instead of motor driven rotary blade propeller as the propulsion system to ensure it's stealthily characteristic. However, the nett thrust force could not be achieved if drag force have not been determined yet. In this research, CFD simulation technique was utilized to analyze the fluid dynamics that contribute to the drag force of the designed uAUV. The results from this analysis show the pressure distribution on the uAUV body, fluid velocity pattern, maximum shear stress location on the uAUV body as well as skin friction distribution. The increment of fluid velocity had increased the drag force value exponentially. Besides, the conducted stress analysis had shown the highest stress location of the contractile actuator was near the actuator clamping area.