ANALYSIS OF BIOMIMETIC CAUDAL FIN FOR PROPULSION OF AUTONOMOUS UNDERWATER ROBOTS AND RECENT EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS: A REVIEW

Abstract

Biomimetic caudal fin propulsion systems is one of the topic that is catching eye of many researchers recently. Fishes have attained their outstanding swimming capabilities by undergoing natural evolution over millions of years by adapting their habitat. Taking inspiration form that, autonomous underwater robots can be designed to achieve best performances. Much work has been carried out in this direction but for a given automated underwater vehicle, the choice of appropriate caudal fin’s parameters are not established yet. Notable advances has been made in understanding a few vital mechanisms of thrust generation in oscillating caudal fin but circumstances for attaining high performance and high thrust to drag ratio are not fully clear. In spite of rigorous study going on in this field, very few insights are found which leads towards a better technological solution for achieving fish like ability. This paper presents the examinations of fish locomotion, studies carried out on geometrical shapes and flexibility of caudal fin for optimal propulsion, works on fins with spanwise variable phase, different recent technological solutions adopted to mimic mechanism of thrust production in actual fishes and Wake structure of caudal fin and
affecting parameters, its causes and influences on propulsion.