English Abstract
Development of Artificial Tail Flukes for Bottlenose Dolphin
Shingo KATO
Chemical and Industrial products, Technology Division Bridgestone Corporation, Yokohama, Japan
Wataru SEKI and Takashi YOKOI
Research and development Division, Bridgestone Corporation, Kodaira-shi, Tokyo, Japan
Shinji SAITO
Chemical Products, Technology Department Bridgestone Corporation, Yokohama, Japan
Keiichi UEDA
Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium Motobu-cho, Okinawa Prfe.,
Nippon Gomu Kyokaishi,(2005),78(9),336-339 General Review in Japanese


Abstract
Artificial tail flukes were developed for a bottlenose dolphin that lost most part of the tail flukes due to a serious disease in October 2002. The dolphin named FUJI has been kept in Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium since 1975. A joint project was started to develop artificial flukes in 2003 to recover normal revel swimming ability. At the process of the development, finite element method analysis and towing test in water tank were carried out. The artificial flukes were composed of silicone rubber and inserted FRP reinforcement. FUJI recovered swimming speed and even jumping ability by the artificial tail flukes as she had before.

Keywords:
Dolphin, Artificial tail flukes, Silicone rubber, FRP
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