research: Methods
Methods of Research
Experimental Methods
Using the biological manta ray as a design base, the experimental shape and motion of the manta ray was selected. The manta ray was created using a soft PVC. The PVC was heated, and poured into a mold to cure. The mold used an airfoil cross section, similar in shape to the biological cross section. The fin is inserted into a water channel for analysis. The system is actuated with a mechanical actuation system which allows for easy variation of the speed and amplitude of the motion.
Flow visualization and particle image velocimetry have been used to analyze the flow. The system has yielded results which are fitting with current unsteady flow theory. The novelty of the project is found in the shape and motion of the manta ray.
Computational Methods
The fluid dynamics of the manta ray were also evaluated computationally. A far-field, 3D grid was generated using a software code called Gridgen. The motion of the manta ray was imposed onto the grid. The shape and the motion of the manta ray were identical to the experimental device.
The flow was evaluated using an unsteady CFD code which solved the Euler equations.
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