journal article·2012-06

A Novel Implementation of a Flexible Robotic Fin Actuated by Shape Memory Alloy

Qin Yan, Lei Wang, Bo Liu, Jie Yang, Shiwu Zhang

Journal of Bionic Engineering· Volume 9· Issue 2
Publisher page

Abstract

In this paper, study of a novel flexible robotic-fin actuated by Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) is presented. The developed robotic fin is capable of implementing various 3-Dimensional (3D) motions, which plays an important role in robot propulsion and maneuverability. Firstly, the morphological and mechanics parameters of a real pectoral fin from a carp are investigated. Secondly, a detailed design of the flexible pectoral fin driven by SMA is presented according to the previous morphological and mechanics analyses. Thirdly, a simplified theoretical model on the SMA fin plate is derived. The thermodynamics of the SMA plate and the relationship between curvature and phase transformation are analyzed. Finally, several simulations and model experiments are conducted according to the previous analyses. The results of the experiments are useful for the control of the robotic fin. The experimental results reveal that the SMA actuated fin ray has a good actuating performance.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms · Shape Memory Alloy Transformations · Aeroelasticity and Vibration Control

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

References (30)

Show source-provided references
1. Webb P W. Form and function in fish swimming. Scientific American, 1984, 25, 58–68.
2. Lauder G V, Madden P, Hunter I. Design and performance of a fish fin-like propulsor for AUVs. Proceedings of 14th International Symposium on Unmanned Untethered Submersible Technology, Durham, New Hampshire, USA, 2005.
3. Epstein M, Colgate J, Maciver M. Generating thrust with a biologically-inspired robotic ribbon fin. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems, Beijing, China, 2006, 2412–2417.
4. Triantafyllou M S, Triantafyllou G S. An efficient swimming machine. Scientific American, 1995, 272, 64–70.10.1038/scientificamerican0395-64 ↗
5. Yu J Z, Wang L. Parameter optimization of simplified propulsive model for biomimetic robot fish. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation, Barcelona, Spain, 2006, 3306–3311.
6. Liu J, Hu H. Biological inspiration: from carangiform fish to multi-joint robotic fish. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2010, 7, 35–48.10.1016/S1672-6529(09)60184-0 ↗
7. Lauder G V, Peter G, Madden A. Fish locomotion: kinematics and hydrodynamics of flexible foil-like fins. Experiments in Fluids, 2007, 43, 641–653.10.1007/s00348-007-0357-4 ↗
8. Lauder G V. How fishes swim: flexible fin thrusters as an EAP platform. Proceedings of the International Society for Optics and Photonics, San Diego, California, USA, 2007, 6524, 652402.
9. Lauder G V, Liem K F. The evolution and interrelationships of the actinopterygian fish. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, 1983, 150, 95–197.
10. Tytell E, Standen E, Lauder G. Escaping flatland: three-dimensional kinematics and hydrodynamics of median fins in fishes. The Journal of Experiments Biology, 2008, 211, 187–195.10.1242/jeb.008128 ↗
11. Low K H, Yang J, Pattathil A P, Zhang Y H. Initial prototype design and investigation of an undulating body by SMA. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Automation Science and Engineering, Shanghai, China, 2006, 472–477.
12. Low K H. Mechatronics and buoyancy implementation of robotic fish with modular fin mechanisms. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part I: Journal of Systems and Control Engineering, 2007, 221, 295–309.
13. Low K H. Modelling and parametric study of modular undulating fin rays for fish robots. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2009, 44, 615–632.10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2008.11.009 ↗
14. Toda Y, Suzuki T, Uto S, Tanaka N. Fundamental study on a fish-like body with two undulating side fins. In: Kato N, Kamimura S (Eds.), Bio-mechanisms of Swimming and Flying, Springer, Berlin, Germany, 2004, 93–110.10.1007/978-4-431-53951-3_8 ↗
15. Toda Y, Ikeda H, Sogihara N. The motion of a fish-like under-water vehicle with two undulating side fins. Proceedings of the 3rd International Symposium on Aero Aqua Bio-mechanisms, Okinawa, Japan, 2006.
16. Hu T, Shen L, Lin L, Xu H. Biological inspirations, kinematics modeling, mechanism design and experiments on an undulating robotic fin inspired by Gymnarchus niloticus. Mechanism and Machine Theory, 2009, 44, 633–645.10.1016/j.mechmachtheory.2008.08.013 ↗
17. Wang Z, Wang Y, Li J, Hang G. A micro biomimetic manta ray robot fish actuated by SMA. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, GuiLin, China, 2009.
18. Wang Z, Hang G, Wang Y, Li J, Du W. Embedded SMA wire actuated biomimetic fin: a module for biomimetic underwater propulsion. Smart Materials and Structures, 2008, 17, 025039.10.1088/0964-1726/17/2/025039 ↗
19. Yan Q, Han Z, Zhang S, Yang J. Parametric research of experiments on a Carangiform robotic fish. Journal of Bionic Engineering, 2008, 5, 95–101.10.1016/S1672-6529(08)60012-8 ↗
20. Zhang Y, He J, Yand J, Zhang S, Low K. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis of an undulatory mechanical fin driven by shape memory alloy. International Journal of Automation and Computing, 2006, 4, 374–381.10.1007/s11633-006-0374-4 ↗
21. Zhang Y, He J, Yand J, Zhang S, Low K. Design and investigation of shape memory alloy driven flexible pectoral fin. Proceedings of IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Biomimetics, Kunming, China, 2006.
22. Lauder G, Madden P, Mittal R, Dong H, Bozkurttas M. Locomotion with flexible propulsors: I. Experimental analysis of pectoral fin swimming in sunfish. Bionispiration & Biomimetics, 2006, 1, S25–S34.10.1088/1748-3182/1/4/S04 ↗
23. Mittal R, Dong H, Bozkurttas M, Lauder G V, Madden P. Locomotion with flexible propulsors: II. Computational modeling of pectoral fin swimming in sunfish. Bionispiration & Biomimetics, 2006, 1, S35–S41.10.1088/1748-3182/1/4/S05 ↗
24. Tanaka K. A thermomechanical sketch of shape memory effect: one-dimensional tensile behavior. Res Mechanica, 1986, 251–263.
25. Liang C, Rogers C A. One-dimensional thermomechanical constitutive relations for shape memory material. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 1990, 1, 207–234.10.1177/1045389X9000100205 ↗
26. Brison L C. One-dimensional constitutive behavior of shape memory alloys: thermomechanical derivation with non-constant material functions. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 1993, 4, 229–242.10.1177/1045389X9300400213 ↗
27. Yang K, Gu C L. Modelling, simulation and experiments of novel planar bending embeded SMA actuators. Mechatronics, 2008, 18, 323–329.10.1016/j.mechatronics.2008.04.004 ↗
28. Low K H, Chong C W. Parametric study of the swimming performance of a fish robot propelled by a flexible caudal fin. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 2010, 5, 046002.10.1088/1748-3182/5/4/046002 ↗
29. Ijspeert A J, Crespi A, Ryczko D, Cabelguen J M. From swimming to walking with a salamander robot driven by a spinal cord model. Science, 2007, 315, 1416–1420.10.1126/science.1138353 ↗
30. Zhou C, Low K H. Posture analysis and experiments of bionic fish propelled by paired pectoral foils. ASME Transactions on Mechatronics, 2012, in Press.