First experimental observation of the aquatic propulsion caused by localised flexural waves in immersed structures

The present paper reports the results of the first experimental observation of the wave-like aquatic propulsion suitable for man-inhabited marine vessels. The idea of this propulsion, first published by one of the present authors (V.V.K.) more than 10 years ago, is based on employing localised flexural elastic waves propagating along edges of wedge-like elastic structures. Such wave-supporting structures can be attached to a body of a small ship or a submarine as keels or wings and used for the propulsion. To verify the idea experimentally, the first working prototype of a small catamaran using the above-mentioned wave-like propulsion via the attached rubber keel has been build and tested. The test results have shown that the catamaran was propelled quite efficiently and could achieve the speed of about 36 cm/s, i.e. approximately one length of the vessel per second. The reported proof of the viability of the idea of wave-like propulsion as alternative to a propeller may open new opportunities for marine propulsion which can have far reaching implications.