Numerical Analysis of the Resistance Force of Floater of Wave Glider and Flapping Motion of Single Wave Glider NACA-0012 Foil

Abstract

In 2020, the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology – Indonesia (BPPT) is designing wave glider systems for Tsunami Early Warning System. The wave glider systems consist of two components, the floater at the water surface and the wave glider submerged 2 meters or more below the water surface. Wave glider contains several foils that can flap up and down due to the heave and pitch motion of the floater so that the system affords the force to move forward. This paper describes the numerical analysis of the resistance of floater and the selection of the pivot position of the foil where it flaps. The speed of the floater is set from 0.3 m/s up to 1 m/s. NACA-0012 is selected as the first choice of the foil. It flaps in pure pitch motion and coupled pitch and heave motion in the different pivot positions. The flapping frequency is set to 0.1 Hz since the peak period of the wave about 10 seconds. The surge forces due to the flapping motion are then analysed to determine the best position of the pivot. The numerical simulation shows that the pivot position at 2.5% - 5% of chord length from the leading edge of NACA-0012 generates the optimum surge force.