A few years ago I attended the human powered sub races. There were several of these "bionic propulsion" methods represented. They were highly original and won innovation awards, but as for speed, they couldn't come remotely close to props. For that reason the competition is separated into separate categories for props and alternatives.
Juergen,
If I'm correctly understanding what you're asking: Bionic propulsion
is basically a system that mimics the motion of a fish or marine
mammal to create thrust. Some have used piezo effect, some haven't, but I
doubt they will generally move beyond the research level anytime
soon.
MIT has had a bionic propulsion research project for some years called
Robotuna. The only operational application I'm aware of was on an AUV or
ROV, and it went well (sorry I don't remember the name). It did have lower
energy consumption than a rotary propeller. At one time I saw a robotic
shark with a camera mounted on it (might have been during Shark Week on
Discovery Channel) that used bionic propulsion.
The most efficient propeller configuration I'm aware of is a Kort nozzle,
however I'll defer to the engineers and others in the group who are much more
knowledgeable.
Cheers,
Jim T
I'd love to hear about this one
too!
David Bartsch
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 2010 23:23:28 +0000
From: groplias2@yahoo.com
Subject:
[PSUBS-MAILIST] bionic propeller
To:
personal_submersibles@psubs.org
Dear Pssubers
does somebody have some experience with bionic
propellers? It is said that they are more powerfull than normal
propellers and very expensive but I want to know if somebody knows them first
hand and confirm or not if they are so wonderfull as stated.
Best
wishes
Juergen
=
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