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How dorsal fin sharpness affects swimming speed and economy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 September 2019

Qiang Zhong Open the ORCID record for Qiang Zhong [Opens in a new window] ,
Haibo Dong  and
Daniel B. Quinn
Qiang Zhong*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
Haibo Dong
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
Daniel B. Quinn
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: qz4te@virginia.edu
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Abstract

Multi-fin systems, like fish or fish-inspired vehicles, are governed by unsteady three-dimensional interactions between their multiple fins. In particular, dorsal/anal fins have received much attention because they are just upstream of the main thrust-producing fin: the caudal (tail) fin. We used a tuna-inspired fish model with variable fin sharpness to study the interaction between elongated dorsal/anal fins and caudal fins. We found that the performance enhancement is stronger than previously thought (15 % increase in swimming speed and 50 % increase in swimming economy) and is governed by a three-dimensional dorsal-fin-induced cross-flow that lowers the angle of attack on the caudal fin and promotes spanwise flow. Both simulations and multi-layer particle image velocimetry reveal that the cross-flow stabilizes the leading edge vortex on the caudal fin, similar to how wing strakes prevent stall during fixed-wing aircraft manoeuvres. Unlike other fin–fin interactions, this mechanism is phase-insensitive and offers a simple, passive solution for flow control over oscillating propulsors. Our results therefore improve our understanding of multi-fin flow interactions and suggest new insights into dorsal/anal fin shape and placement in fish and fish-inspired vehicles.

JFM classification

Biological Fluid Dynamics: Swimming/flying Biological Fluid Dynamics: Propulsion Vortex Flows: Vortex interactions
Type
JFM Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 878 , 10 November 2019 , pp. 370 - 385
Copyright
© 2019 Cambridge University Press 

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Zhong Supplementary Movie

3D PIV reveals that dorsal fin stabilizes the flow over caudal fin in M4 case compare to M1 case.

Download Zhong Supplementary Movie(Video)
Video 25 MB