posted on 2010-04-26, 08:26authored byVictor V. Krylov, Gareth V. Pritchard
The present paper reports the results of the first experimental observation of the wave-like
aquatic propulsion suitable for man-inhabited marine vessels. The idea of this propulsion,
first published by one of the present authors (V.V.K.) more than 10 years ago, is based on
employing localised flexural elastic waves propagating along edges of wedge-like elastic
structures. Such wave-supporting structures can be attached to a body of a small ship or a
submarine as keels or wings and used for the propulsion. To verify the idea experimentally,
the first working prototype of a small catamaran using the above-mentioned wave-like
propulsion via the attached rubber keel has been build and tested. The test results have shown
that the catamaran was propelled quite efficiently and could achieve the speed of about 36
cm/s, i.e. approximately one length of the vessel per second. The reported proof of the
viability of the idea of wave-like propulsion as alternative to a propeller may open new
opportunities for marine propulsion which can have far reaching implications.
History
School
Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering
Department
Aeronautical and Automotive Engineering
Citation
KRYLOV, V.V. and PRITCHARD, G.V., 2006. First experimental observation of the aquatic propulsion caused by localised flexural waves in immersed structures. IN: Eberhardsteiner, J., Mang, H.A. and Waubke, H. (eds.). Proceedings of the 13th International Congress on Sound and Vibration, Vienna, Austria, 2-6 July 2006.
Publisher
Vienna University of Technology
Version
VoR (Version of Record)
Publication date
2006
Notes
This conference paper was presented at ICSV 13: http://icsv13.tuwien.ac.at/