Power Reduction by Controlling Joint Compliance for the Propulsion of a Biomimetic Underwater Vehicle

The work describes a compliance control scheme for the caudal joint motion of a biomimetic autonomous underwater vehicle (BAUV). The purpose of the control method is to use the motor power more effectively for propulsion. A symmetric foil executing large-amplitude sway and yaw motions in a flow imitates a flapping tail fin which is used as the propulsive device of BAUV. Motions of the oscillating foil are then actuated by motors through springs. A control method was derived for the determination of the spring compliance for better use of the motors’ driving power. It is verified that the compliance control method can reduce the amount of energy for the foil propulsion and is beneficial for the energy saving design for future BAUVs. Copyright © 2008 IFAC