Simulations of propelling and energy harvesting articulated bodies via vortex particle-mesh methods

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel 2D vortex particle-mesh method combined with a multi-body system solver for simulating flow-structure interactions in propulsion and energy harvesting applications, offering improved efficiency and accuracy.

Contribution

The paper presents a new algorithm that integrates Vortex Particle-Mesh and Multi-Body System methods, extending force computation techniques for complex deforming structures in fluid flows.

Findings

Validated against benchmark problems like cylinder sedimentation

Successfully simulated passive multi-segment structures in wake flows

Demonstrated application to energy harvesting structures with damping

Abstract

The emergence and understanding of new design paradigms that exploit flow induced mechanical instabilities for propulsion or energy harvesting demands robust and accurate flow structure interaction numerical models. In this context, we develop a novel two dimensional algorithm that combines a Vortex Particle-Mesh (VPM) method and a Multi-Body System (MBS) solver for the simulation of passive and actuated structures in fluids. The hydrodynamic forces and torques are recovered through an innovative approach which crucially complements and extends the projection and penalization approach of Coquerelle et al. and Gazzola et al. The resulting method avoids time consuming computation of the stresses at the wall to recover the force distribution on the surface of complex deforming shapes. This feature distinguishes the proposed approach from other VPM formulations. The methodology was verified against a number of benchmark results ranging from the sedimentation of a 2D cylinder to a passive three segmented structure in the wake of a cylinder. We then showcase the capabilities of this method through the study of an energy harvesting structure where the stocking process is modeled by the use of damping elements.