Numerical Investigation of Bionic Rudder With Leading-Edge Protuberances

Abstract

The duck's webbed feet are observed by using electron microscopy, and observations indicate that the edges of the webbed feet are the shape of protuberances. Therefore, the rudder with leading-edge protuberances is numerically studied in the present investigation. The rudder has a sinusoidal leading-edge profile along the spanwise direction. The hydrodynamic performance of rudder is analyzed under the influence of leading-edge protuberances. The present investigations are carried out at Re = 3.2 × 105 and 8 × 105. In the case of Re = 3.2 × 105, the curves of lift coefficient illustrate that the protuberant leading-edge scarcely affects the lift coefficient of bionic rudder. However, the drag coefficient of the bionic rudder is markedly lower than that of the unmodified rudder. Therefore, the lift-to-drag ratio of the bionic rudder is obviously higher than the unmodified rudder. In another case of Re = 8 × 105, the advantageous behavior of the bionic rudder with leading-edge protuberances is mainly performed in the post-stall regime. The flow mechanism of the significantly increased efficiency by the protuberant leading-edge is explored. It is obvious that the pairs of counter-rotating vortices are presented over the suction surface of bionic rudder, and therefore, the flow is more likely to adhere to the suction surface of bionic rudder.