Abstract
The present study is begun with the idea based on the propulsive method by oscillating a caudal fin, as a result of examining conventional propulsion systems of a ship in terms of safety, energy saving and environmental integrity. The purpose of this study is experimentally to pursue the problem which an oscillating wing is practically applied to the propulsion system of a ship.
In this work, a simple two-dimensional oscillating wing model is analysed macroscopically; the basic experiment is carried out by use of both an apparatus oscillating a wing harmonically and a circular stream water tank.
Consequently, experimental results are in good agreement with numerical analysis for low reduced frequency; the relationship between wing's motion and its thrust has been clarified; the optimum value of phase lag ψ= 60°causing a maximum coefficient of thrust is present; when the optimum value of phase lag is ψ=90°and that of reduced frequency isΩ=0.6-0.8, an efficiency of propulsion of a single wing indicates the value of about 53%.
