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The turning performance of aquatic animals is con- We show both of these models in Fig. 2. The flipper plan-
strained by morphology with the mobility and flexibility of form geometry was modeled, roughly, after the left pectoral
the body and the hydrodynamic characteristics and position flipper of a 9.02 m male humpback whale.6 Photographs of
of the control surfaces influencing the animals turning per- whale flippers reveal variability in the size and shape of the
formance. The baleen whales of the cetacean suborder Mys- tubercles among individuals. Therefore, we did not intend,
ticete are the largest of all animals. Much of the body is here, to model a specific flipper but rather capture the gross
inflexible because of their specialized feeding system, which morphology that is common to the species. We do expect that
restricts their maneuverability. However, the humpback the details of the geometry for example, abrupt changes in
whale Megaptera novaeangliae is unusual compared to surface curvature would influence the performance of an
other mysticetes in its ability to undertake acrobatic turning individual flipper. Our first smooth model flipper had a
maneuvers in order to catch prey.1,2 Humpback whales uti- smooth leading edge with a shape that closely matched the
lize extremely mobile, high-aspect-ratio flippers for banking average leading-edge geometry of the animal while our sec-
and turning. Large rounded tubercles, shown in the photo- ond scalloped flipper had a sinusoidal leading-edge profile
graphs of Fig. 1, along the leading edge of the flipper are approximating the pattern found on the specimen flipper.
morphological structures that are unique in this animal. The Consistent with the animal, the sinusoidal pattern had both
position, size and number of tubercles on the flipper suggest an intertubercle spacing and a tubercle amplitude that de-
analogs with specialized leading-edge control devices asso- creased with spanwise distal location. The flipper cross-
ciated with improvements in hydrodynamic performance on sectional profile is similar to conventional turbulent-flow air-
biological3 and engineered4 lifting surfaces. It has been hy- foils with a maximal thickness of approximately 20%.6
pothesized that these leading-edge tubercles can modify the Therefore, we constructed our models based on a symmetri-
hydrodynamic characteristics of the flipper to increase its cal NACA 0020 foil section. Both model flippers, machined
effectiveness in turning.5,6 In this study, we report wind tun- on a CNC mill from 3.81 cm thick clear polycarbonate, had
nel measurements of the lift and drag, along with other pa- a maximal chord of 16.19 cm and a span of 56.52 cm. The
rameters, as a function of the angle of attack of idealized surface was coated with self-leveling epoxy West Systems.
scale models of a humpback whale flipper with and without After curing, the surfaces were wet sanded with progres-
tubercles. sively finer emery paper down to 600 grit.
We constructed two scale models of a humpback pecto- Our tests were performed in the low speed closed-circuit
ral flipper; one with and one without leading-edge tubercles. wind tunnel at the United States Naval Academy. The tests
were conducted at incompressible flow conditions, with the
a
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; electronic mail: aerodynamics simulating the hydrodynamics of flow around
laurens.howle@duke.edu the flipper. As the flippers are not oscillated during turning
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Phys. Fluids, Vol. 16, No. 5, May 2004 Leading-edge tubercles delay stall on humpback whale L41
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L42 Phys. Fluids, Vol. 16, No. 5, May 2004 Miklosovic et al.
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