Interactive Fluid Coupling Effects of Non-Neighbouring Members

Broadband, multi-functional and parallel-processing devices are often built on coupled oscillators or arrays of resonators. Different length scales and applications determine the dominating coupling mechanism of the device. In this paper we investigate the effects of interactive fluid coupling between members of a one-dimensional array wherein only one member is actuated. We are specifically interested in studying the influence of non-neighbouring members in small-size arrays comprising of three and five members for different Reynolds numbers and gap widths between members. Our model and analysis is based on the Navier–Stokes equation for incompressible flow which is solved using a boundary integral technique resulting in the hydrodynamic coupling matrix through which added mass and damping effects are inferred. Results clearly suggest that non-neighbouring members play a significant role for most typical array configurations and therefore cannot be ignored. In particular, arrays with more than three members must account for the behaviour of such a device with all member interactions. Thus, predicting the performance of most new and emerging technologies such as sensors and biomedical devices is determined by array effects rather than local, nearest neighbour influences.