Experiments on the Weis-Fogh mechanism of lift generation by insects in hovering flight. Part 1. Dynamics of the ‘fling’

1979 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Maxworthy
Keyword(s):  
Initial Phase ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Large Angle ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Hovering Flight ◽  
Separation Bubbles ◽  
Mechanical Models ◽  
Series Of Experiments ◽  
Edge Separation

From a series of experiments using simplified mechanical models we suggest certain minor modifications to the Weis-Fogh (1973)–Lighthill (1973) explanation of the so-called ‘clap and fling’ mechanism for the generation of large lift coefficients by insects in hovering flight. Of particular importance is the production and motion of a leading edge, separation vortex that accounts for virtually all of the circulation generated during the initial phase of the ‘fling’ process. The magnitude of this circulation is substantially larger than that calculated using inviscid theory. During the motion that subsequently separates the wings, the vorticity over each of them is convected and combined to become a tip vortex of uniform circulation spanning the space between them. This combined vortex moves downwards as a part of a ring, of large impulse, that is then continuously fed from quasi-steady separation bubbles that move with the wings as they continue to open at a large angle of attack. Such effects are able to account for the large lift forces generated by the insect.

Interactions of a streamwise-oriented vortex with a finite wing

2015 ◽  
Vol 767 ◽  
pp. 782-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Garmann ◽  
M. R. Visbal
Keyword(s):  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Recirculation Region ◽  
Rolling Moment ◽  
Effective Angle ◽  
Finite Wing ◽  
Modes Of Interaction

AbstractA canonical study is developed to investigate the unsteady interactions of a streamwise-oriented vortex impinging upon a finite surface using high-fidelity simulation. As a model problem, an analytically defined vortex superimposed on a free stream is convected towards an aspect-ratio-six ($\mathit{AR}=6$) plate oriented at an angle of ${\it\alpha}=4^{\circ }$ and Reynolds number of $\mathit{Re}=20\,000$ in order to characterize the unsteady modes of interaction resulting from different spanwise positions of the incoming vortex. Outboard, tip-aligned and inboard positioning are shown to produce three distinct flow regimes: when the vortex is positioned outboard of, but in close proximity to, the wingtip, it pairs with the tip vortex to form a dipole that propels itself away from the plate through mutual induction, and also leads to an enhancement of the tip vortex. When the incoming vortex is aligned with the wingtip, the tip vortex is initially strengthened by the proximity of the incident vortex, but both structures attenuate into the wake as instabilities arise in the pair’s feeding sheets from the entrainment of opposite-signed vorticity into either structure. Finally, when the incident vortex is positioned inboard of the wingtip, the vortex bifurcates in the time-mean sense with portions convecting above and below the wing, and the tip vortex is mostly suppressed. The time-mean bifurcation is actually a result of an unsteady spiralling instability in the vortex core that reorients the vortex as it impacts the leading edge, pinches off, and alternately attaches to either side of the wing. The increased effective angle of attack inboard of impingement enhances the three-dimensional recirculation region created by the separated boundary layer off the leading edge which draws fluid from the incident vortex inboard and diminishes its impact on the outboard section of the wing. The slight but remaining downwash present outboard of impingement reduces the effective angle of attack in that region, resulting in a small separation bubble on either side of the wing in the time-mean solution, effectively unloading the tip outboard of impingement and suppressing the tip vortex. All incident vortex positions provide substantial increases in the wing’s lift-to-drag ratio; however, significant sustained rolling moments also result. As the vortex is brought inboard, the rolling moment diminishes and eventually switches sign as the reduced outboard loading balances the augmented sectional lift inboard of impingement.

Analysis of leading-edge separation bubbles on airfoils

AIAA Journal ◽  
1976 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 1548-1555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Crimi ◽  
Barry L. Reeves
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Separation Bubbles ◽  
Edge Separation

scholarly journals An Inviscid-Viscous Method to Model Leading Edge Separation Bubbles

1994 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. John Calvert
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Separation Bubble ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Initial Boundary ◽  
Axial Compressors ◽  
Recent Experimental Study ◽  
Separation Bubbles ◽  
Blade Section ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Edge Separation

Separation bubbles are likely to occur near the leading edges of sharp-edged blade sections in axial compressors and turbines, particularly when the sections are operated at positive incidence. Typically the flow reattaches a short distance from the leading edge as a turbulent boundary layer, the thickness of which depends on the details of the separation bubble. The overall performance of the blade section can be significantly affected by the thickness of this initial boundary layer — in some cases blade stall is mainly associated with the change in thickness of the layer as blade incidence is increased. A recent experimental study at the Whittle Laboratory, Cambridge demonstrated the importance of the blade leading edge shape on the separation bubble. In the present work, an inviscid-viscous method has been set up to model the experimental data and to provide a way of predicting the performance of this critical region for different leading edge shapes.

Analysis of Vortical Flow Field in a Propeller Fan by LDV Measurements and LES—Part I: Three-Dimensional Vortical Flow Structures

2001 ◽  
Vol 123 (4) ◽  
pp. 748-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Choon-Man Jang ◽  
Masato Furukawa ◽  
Masahiro Inoue
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Vortical Flow ◽  
Axial Fan ◽  
Suction Surface ◽  
Tip Leakage Vortex ◽  
Tip Leakage ◽  
Edge Separation

Three-dimensional structures of the vortical flow field in a propeller fan with a shroud covering only the rear region of its rotor tip have been investigated by experimental analysis using laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) measurements and by numerical analysis using a large eddy simulation (LES) in Part I of the present study. The propeller fan has a very complicated vortical flow field near the rotor tip compared with axial fan and compressor rotors. It is found that three vortex structures are formed near the rotor tip: the tip vortex, the leading edge separation vortex, and the tip leakage vortex. The tip vortex is so strong that it dominates the flow field near the tip. Its formation starts from the blade tip suction side near the midchord. Even at the design condition the tip vortex convects nearly in the tangential direction, thus impinging on the pressure surface of the adjacent blade. The leading edge separation vortex develops close along the tip suction surface and disappears in the rear region of the rotor passage. The tip leakage vortex is so weak that it does not affect the flow field in the rotor.

Some Measurements of Leading Edge Separation Bubbles on a 10 per cent Thick Symmetrical Aerofoil

1953 ◽  
Vol 57 (516) ◽  
pp. 819-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Black ◽  
R. D. Hunt
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Liquid Film ◽  
Pressure Distribution ◽  
Constant Pressure ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Pressure Distributions ◽  
Separation Bubbles ◽  
Edge Separation

Pressure Distribution and liquid-film tests on a 10 per cent, thick aerofoil revealed the presence of separation “bubbles” close to the leading edge. These bubbles are formed beneath the boundary layer which separates near the leading edge and re-attaches farther aft; their existence is usually indicated by localised constant-pressure regions in the pressure distributions. It is also believed that if a thin film of liquid (such as a suspension of lamp-black in paraffin) is spread on the surface, the scrubbing action of the air rotating in the bubble will tend to draw liquid forward into the bubble, and hence the location and extent of the bubble may be indicated approximately by the accumulation of the fluid.Many boundary layer traverses of bubbles on N.A.C.A. aerofoils have been made, but it was felt that similar measurements of the bubbles on this particular aerofoil would provide useful data, since the separation characteristics of this section appeared to differ from those in the N.A.C.A. tests.

Alula-Inspired Leading Edge Device for Low Reynolds Number Flight

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boris A. Mandadzhiev ◽  
Michael K. Lynch ◽  
Leonardo P. Chamorro ◽  
Aimy A. Wissa
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Relative Angle ◽  
Lift And Drag

Robust and predictable aerodynamic performance of unmanned aerial vehicles at the limits of their design envelope is critical for safety and mission adaptability. In order for a fixed wing aircraft to maintain the lift necessary for sustained flight at very low speeds and large angles of attack (AoA), the wing shape has to change. This is often achieved by using deployable aerodynamic surfaces, such as flaps or slats, from the wing leading or trailing edges. In nature, one such device is a feathered structure on birds’ wings called the alula. The span of the alula is 5% to 20% of the wing and is attached to the first digit of the wing. The goal of the current study is to understand the aerodynamic effects of the alula on wing performance. A series of wind tunnel experiments are performed to quantify the effect of various alula deployment parameters on the aerodynamic performance of a cambered airfoil (S1223). A full wind tunnel span wing, with a single alula located at the wing mid-span is tested under uniform low-turbulence flow at three Reynolds numbers, Re = 85,000, 106,00 and 146,000. An experimental matrix is developed to find the range of effectiveness of an alula-type device. The alula relative angle of attack measured measured from the mean chord of the airfoil is varied to modulate tip-vortex strength, while the alula deflection is varied to modulate the distance of the tip vortex to the wing surface. Lift and drag forces were measured using a six axis force transducer. The lift and drag coefficients showed the greatest sensitivity to the the alula relative angle of attack, increasing the normalized lift coefficient by as much as 80%. Improvements in lift are strongly correlated to higher alula angle, with β = 0° – 5°, while reduction in the drag coefficient is observed with higher alula tip deflection ratios and lower β angles. Results show that, as the wing angle of attack and Reynolds number are increased, the overall lift co-efficient improvement is diminished while the reduction in drag coefficient is higher.

scholarly journals Study of Flow around a Trapezoidal Model of a Small-Sized UAV into Turbulent Wake

2022 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-28
Author(s):  
A. M. Pavlenko ◽  
A. V. Bykov ◽  
B. Yu. Zanin ◽  
M. M. Katasonov
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Turbulent Wake ◽  
Model Surface ◽  
Separation Bubbles ◽  
Attached Flow ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Geometrical Dimensions

Investigations of the structure of the flow near the surface of a trapezoidal model of a small unmanned aerial vehicle were carried out when it enters a narrow turbulent wake. All experimental data were obtained in a wind tunnel at subsonic flow velocities. A feature of the work was that the study of the flow around the model was carried out at full-scale (flight) Reynolds numbers. Using the soot-oily visualization method, data on the features of the flow around the model were obtained, taking into account such factors as the angle of attack, the presence and absence of a source of external disturbances that generated a turbulent wake. The experiments were carried out in two flow regimes: at a zero angle of attack, when there are local separation bubbles on the wing, and at a large (supercritical) angle of attack of 18 degrees, when there is a global stall of the flow from the leading edge. It was shown that the turbulent wake has a significant effect on the nature of the flow near the model surface in both cases. Local separation bubbles gradually decrease in size with a decrease in the distance between the sources of disturbances and the wing. Large-scale vortices significantly decrease in geometrical dimensions and shift towards the side edges in the event of a global stall of the flow, thereby increasing the region of the attached flow on the model surface.

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