Wake mechanics for thrust generation in oscillating foils

Abstract

Foils oscillating transversely to an oncoming uniform flow produce, under certain conditions, thrust. It is shown through experimental data from flapping foils and data from fish observation that thrust develops through the formation of a reverse von Kármán street whose preferred Strouhal number is between 0.25 and 0.35, and that optimal foil efficiency is achieved within this Strouhal range.