Turning strategies for plunging elastic plate propulsor

We use three-dimensional computer simulations to examine turning strategies for a biomimetic oscillating elastic rectangular plate propulsor submerged in a viscous fluid. The elastic plate is actuated near the first natural frequency at the leading edge. Two kinematic actuation patterns are probed to produce both pitching and yaw moments: (1) periodic plunging with asymmetric velocities on the upstroke and downstroke and (2) combined sinusoidal plunging and twisting motion. Both strategies lead to net lateral forces and turning moments. For the first case, we find that the magnitudes of the force and turning moment increase with the degree of asymmetry in the stroke. For the second case, our simulations reveal a range of optimal phase angles and twisting amplitudes that lead to the maximum yaw moment.