Study of a Bionic Paddy Impeller Inspired by Buffalo Hoof

Based on the particular geometric characteristics of buffalo hoof, which is capable to walk on the soft soil of paddy-field with low resistance, a bionic blade for paddy field impeller was designed. The test results in soil bin show that the traction ability of the bionic blade for paddy wheel is improved. Compared with the conventional plate blade, the maximum pull force of the bionic blade is increased by 37.8% and the maximum impeller efficiency is 38.3% higher. Computational simulation analysis shows that bionic shape can improve the driving force of the impeller by resisting and reducing the impacts resulted from the sharp velocity change of the discontinuous surface water flow, and the driving torque of the bionic blade may increase as well.