Visualization of the three dimensional flow behind oscillating foils

Abstract

The maximum efficiency of foil propulsors has been estimated to be more than 15% greater than the best screw propellers currently used on oceangoing vehicles. Because of this, naval designers have begun to look for ways to apply oscillating foil technology to conventional marine vessels and underwater robots. 1 Thus far, few studies have investigated the full flow around an oscillating foil. Most of the experimental work performed to date has been conducted on two-dimensional foil configurations. However, in practice the flow around both natural and man-made