Pressure sensing and drag estimation for fishlike swimming in uniform flows

This paper concentrates on whether the sensed pressure on swimming body surfaces may reflect the around flow velocity. First of all, hydrodynamics of specified biomimetic fishlike swimming is computationally studied with assumptions of uniform flows. The hydrodynamic lagging effect is emphasized since the lagging value has a close relationship with around flows. The spatial distribution and time variation of pressure are analyzed as well. Furthermore, the relationship between form drag and inlet flow velocity is presented. Through the virtual pressure information collected on the fish body surface, the pressure sensors are simulated as one of the functions of fish lateral line system. The proposed principle of multi-point surface pressures against flow velocities is of significance to further promote flow sensing and control methods of fish-inspired underwater vehicles.