Dynamic modeling and motion simulation of a Movable-Winged Underwater Glider

Underwater gliders are a class of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) that offer many advantages over traditional AUVs. Previous research has mainly focused on underwater gliders with fixed wings. This paper studied a novel underwater glider whose wings can pitch independently about its installed shaft, called Movable-Winged Underwater Glider (MWUG). A 6-DOF model of dynamics for MWUG was developed based on Newton's law and Euler's equation, gravity, buoyancy, added mass forces and hydrodynamic forces considered. Longitudinal motion simulations were conducted to clarify the motion characteristics of MWUG. Results of the simulations indicated that compared to fix-winged gliders, MWUGs show a smaller glide angle and attack angle, higher glide speed and efficiency.