Design and vibration testing of a flexible seal whisker model
Name
864437683-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
8.02 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
0a84a837911bf49226e11f1ded19c7e0
Author(s)
Gerber, Christopher D
Advisor(s)
Michael S. Triantafyllou.
Date Issued
2013
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Harbor seal whiskers have a unique surface structure that dramatically reduces vortex induced vibrations as they move through the water. Concurrently with rigid whisker experiments, this project focuses on the design and testing of a flexible model. The rubber model was cast with integrated Kevlar strings, for tensioning purposes, and accelerometers to measure vibration data. The whisker model was mounted to the carriage in the MIT tow tank where it could be towed at a variety of speeds and tension settings. Accelerometer data clarity was a significant problem, but gradual improvements to the whisker mounting design allowed higher quality data to be gathered at a larger range of towing speeds. Using this data we observed correlations between towing speed, vibration frequency, g forces, and displacement in the whisker's vertical axis of motion. Further work could be done to examine whisker motion in multiple axes, as well as with different angles of attack.
Description
Thesis (S.B.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 2013.
Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.
Includes bibliographical references (page 52).
Subjects
Mechanical Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering
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reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
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