An experimental driving mechanism for a rigid oscillating foil propeller

Calderon, Antonino M. (2001) An experimental driving mechanism for a rigid oscillating foil propeller. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

[English] PDF (Migrated (PDF/A Conversion) from original format: (application/pdf)) - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. Download (8MB) [English] PDF - Accepted Version Available under License - The author retains copyright ownership and moral rights in this thesis. Neither the thesis nor substantial extracts from it may be printed or otherwise reproduced without the author's permission. (Original Version)

Abstract

This thesis is about an experimental design of a drive mechanism, which was fitted with a rigid, oscillating foil intended to provide propulsive thrust to any 4-6 m boat. The driving device allowed an innovative, tail like fin, to flap vertically up and down with simultaneous change of pitch simulating the characteristic motion of a whale's tail. The work included all the construction of the drive mechanism, the installation of this mechanism to a typical 4.8 m, open, flat bottom boat. Transducer gauges were placed in strategic locations to measure dynamic forces produced by the drive mechanism and moving foil. -- This experiment emphasised the practicality and development of a drive mechanism that would accommodate subsequent practical work of other foil propellers of various parameters. It is hoped that more research will follow in the prototype stage to concretely give credence to the practicality of foil propulsion in marine vessels.

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