Perry Y. Li, Principal Investigator

Optimization of Flow Forces in Hydraulic Valves; Numerical Experimental Platform for an Aquatic Vehicle Propelled by an Oscillating Foil

This research group was involved in two major areas of interest:

• A project to exploit fluid flow induced instability to enhance the dynamic response of electrohydraulic valves with limited solenoid actuation capability
• The investigation of the motion planning and control issues involved when an aquatic vehicle is propelled by an oscillating foil

In the first project, the researchers know that the geometric design of a valve affects both the unstable transient flow forces and the stable steady flow force. For their purpose, it is desirable to maximize the former and minimize the latter. The group is using the program fluent to help them understand the flow field inside a hydraulic valve and how the valve geometry affects the transient and steady flow forces.

The second project involves the study of how vortex generation, propagation, and roll-up affect the dynamics of the aquatic vehicle. The facilities of the Supercomputing Institute are being used to run a numerical simulation platform that simulates the fluid flow, vortex interactions, and the dynamics of the aquatic vehicle. “Blob” (Rossi) codes in which vortex combinations are performed for efficient time stepping have been extended for this project.

Research Group

Brad Augustine, Graduate Student Researcher
Qinghui Yuan, Graduate Student Researcher