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Download fileFirst experimental observation of the aquatic propulsion caused by localised flexural waves in immersed structures
conference contribution
posted on 2010-04-26, 08:26 authored by Victor V. Krylov, Gareth V. PritchardThe 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