Design and dynamic analysis of fish robot: PoTuna

Abstract

This paper presents the design and the analysis of a "fish-like underwater robot". In order to develop swimming robot like a real fish, extensive hydrodynamic analysis were made followed by the study of biology of the fishes especially its maneuverability and propel styles. Swimming mode is achieved by mimicking fish-swimming of carangiform. This is the swimming mode of the fast motion using its tail and peduncle for propulsion. In order to generate configurations of vortices that gives efficient propulsion, yawing and surging with a caudal fin is applied, and in order to submerge and maintain the body balance, pitching and heaving motion with a pair of pectoral fin is used. We have derived the equation of motion of PoTuna by two methods. In first method, we use the equation of motion of underwater vehicle with the potential flow theory for the power of propulsion. In second method, we apply the method of the equation of motion of UVM (underwater vehicle-manipulator). Then, we compared these results.