Improvement on energetic efficiency and stability of AUV group based on formation configration optimization

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K14978
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 24020:Marine engineering-related
• Research Institution: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Li Gen 国立研究開発法人海洋研究開発機構, 付加価値情報創生部門(数理科学・先端技術研究開発センター), 研究員 (00774035)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 潜水機集団運用 / 隊形 / 最適化 / エネルギー効率 / 航行安定性 / 流体力学 / AUV

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study investigated the optimal formation to improve energy efficiency and navigation stability in the collective operation of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). The impact of hydrodynamic interactions between AUVs on energy efficiency and stability was evaluated using numerical and analytical approaches, as well as experimental methods. The complex flow field around the AUVs was represented using potential flow, allowing the calculation of optimal formations for large AUV groups at a reasonable cost. Towing tests were conducted to measure and compare the drag and disturbance forces on both single and paired AUVs. The results showed that increasing the number of AUVs enhances energy-saving effects, that lateral distance is crucial, and that parallel movement causes energy loss. These findings provide valuable insights for future AUV operations.

Free Research Field

流体工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

学術的意義：AUV（自律型無人潜水機）の集団運用におけるエネルギー効率と航行安定性の向上に関する新たな知見を提供することになる。先端の数値解析手法の開発、実験手法との組み合わせることで、複雑な流体力学的相互作用を解明し、合理的なコストでAUVなどの水中遊泳体の隊形を最適化手法を確立した。
社会的意義：AUVのエネルギー消費を最適化することで、持続可能な海洋開発に貢献できる点が挙げられる。効率的なAUV運用により、海洋資源の探索や環境モニタリングがより効果的に行えるようになり、環境保護や資源管理の改善に寄与する。これにより、将来的には経済的なメリットも期待でき、社会全体の持続可能性向上に繋がる。