Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive
The underwater unstructured environment poses new challenges for the miniaturization and flexibility of underwater vehicles. This paper proposes a method of using micrometer-scale vibrations of piezoelectric vibrators to drive macroscopic jets. Then, we use two coupled piezoelectric jet driving unit...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Actuators |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/5/244 |
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| author | Dong Zhang Xingming Ma Xue Zhang Peng Gao Kai Li |
| author_facet | Dong Zhang Xingming Ma Xue Zhang Peng Gao Kai Li |
| author_sort | Dong Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The underwater unstructured environment poses new challenges for the miniaturization and flexibility of underwater vehicles. This paper proposes a method of using micrometer-scale vibrations of piezoelectric vibrators to drive macroscopic jets. Then, we use two coupled piezoelectric jet driving units to construct a miniature underwater vehicle. Numerical simulation is used to investigate the flow field characteristics of coupled jets. Finally, the impact of the angle between the two piezoelectric jet drive units on the propulsion force is analyzed. The miniature underwater vehicle measures 77.8 mm in length and 87 mm in width. While achieving miniaturization, it maintains high flexibility, maneuverability, and controllability. By adjusting the input signals to the two piezoelectric jet drive units, the miniature underwater vehicle can move in a straight line, turn, and rotate. Its maximum linear velocity reaches 54.23 mm/s. Its outstanding motion ability and environmental adaptability allow it to perform various tasks in unknown and complex environments. It also has broad application prospects. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a944aa8d054049f7b38b37f8a406256a |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-0825 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Actuators |
| spelling | doaj-art-a944aa8d054049f7b38b37f8a406256a2025-08-20T03:14:38ZengMDPI AGActuators2076-08252025-05-0114524410.3390/act14050244Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet DriveDong Zhang0Xingming Ma1Xue Zhang2Peng Gao3Kai Li4State Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd., Daqing Power Supply Company, Daqing 163000, ChinaState Grid Heilongjiang Electric Power Co., Ltd., Daqing Power Supply Company, Daqing 163000, ChinaShandong Electricity & Electricity Hitachi High Voltage Switchgear Co., Ltd., Jinan 250300, ChinaHarbin Kangyuan Multi-Dimensional Technology Development Co, Ltd., Harbin 150021, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Robotics and System, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin 150001, ChinaThe underwater unstructured environment poses new challenges for the miniaturization and flexibility of underwater vehicles. This paper proposes a method of using micrometer-scale vibrations of piezoelectric vibrators to drive macroscopic jets. Then, we use two coupled piezoelectric jet driving units to construct a miniature underwater vehicle. Numerical simulation is used to investigate the flow field characteristics of coupled jets. Finally, the impact of the angle between the two piezoelectric jet drive units on the propulsion force is analyzed. The miniature underwater vehicle measures 77.8 mm in length and 87 mm in width. While achieving miniaturization, it maintains high flexibility, maneuverability, and controllability. By adjusting the input signals to the two piezoelectric jet drive units, the miniature underwater vehicle can move in a straight line, turn, and rotate. Its maximum linear velocity reaches 54.23 mm/s. Its outstanding motion ability and environmental adaptability allow it to perform various tasks in unknown and complex environments. It also has broad application prospects.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/5/244micro-underwater vehiclepiezoelectric driveunderwater coupled jet |
| spellingShingle | Dong Zhang Xingming Ma Xue Zhang Peng Gao Kai Li Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive Actuators micro-underwater vehicle piezoelectric drive underwater coupled jet |
| title | Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive |
| title_full | Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive |
| title_fullStr | Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive |
| title_short | Research on a Miniature Underwater Vehicle Based on a Multi-Unit Underwater Coupled Jet Drive |
| title_sort | research on a miniature underwater vehicle based on a multi unit underwater coupled jet drive |
| topic | micro-underwater vehicle piezoelectric drive underwater coupled jet |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0825/14/5/244 |
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