Aerodynamic cleanliness in bats

2008 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 281 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Bullen ◽  
N. L. McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Foraging Strategy ◽  
Separation Control ◽  
Metabolic Power ◽  
Anatomical Features ◽  
Minimum Drag ◽  
Foraging Niche ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Lift And Drag Coefficient ◽  
Foraging Flight

In this paper we examine morphometric attributes of the airframes of 24 species of bat from Western Australia. In particular, we consider anatomical features of the ear, head, body and tail related to lift and drag optimisation as well as airflow separation control. We provide an assessment of the relative cleanliness of the species and a range of lift and drag coefficient values for use in metabolic power output modelling. The species assessed have aerodynamic cleanliness optimisations that are appropriate to the range of Reynolds’ numbers in which bats fly. Head/body relative cleanliness was consistent with, and functionally appropriate to, aspects of species foraging niche such as foraging strategy. Cleanliness of face and fineness ratio of head and body were found to be related to minimum foraging drag. Blending of the wing and body, the presence of a wing/body fillet and the texture of the pelage were found to be important. The aerodynamic optimisation of ears and tail membrane were found to correlate with foraging strategy. The interceptors had optimisations for minimum drag generation consistent with their higher foraging flight speed. Rather than being optimised for minimum drag, the air-superiority bats’ tails and ears were consistent with their highly agile but slower-foraging flight speeds. Surface bats were characterised by the absence of optimisations for low drag. The frugivore plus the nectarivore and the carnivore studied appear to be discrete optimisations.

Bat wing airfoil and planform structures relating to aerodynamic cleanliness

2007 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Bullen ◽  
N. L. McKenzie
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Foraging Strategy ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Minimum Drag ◽  
Wing Chord ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Lift And Drag Coefficient ◽  
Bat Wing

In this paper we examine 12 species of Western Australian bat for anatomical and morphometric attributes related to wing lift and drag characteristics. We present values for bat wing camber (typically 6.5–9%) and its location, measurements of wing planform and tip shape (typically elliptical but with two different tip designs), dimensions of wing leading-edge flaps (typically 8–10.5% of hand wing chord but with some species having much larger flaps up to 18%) and then discuss several features related to airflow separation control. All species assessed had thin, low-camber airfoil sections, an optimisation appropriate to the range of Reynolds Numbers in which bats fly. Wing relative cleanliness was consistent with, and functionally appropriate to, species foraging strategy. The interceptors had the point of maximum camber well forward and no trailing edge wing fences, optimisations for minimum drag generation. The air-superiority bats had leading-edge fences optimised for maximum lift generation while maintaining low drag. Surface bats were characterised by their low-aspect-ratio wingtips and the absence of optimisations for either low section drag or high lift. The frugivore and the carnivore appear to be discrete optimisations while the emballinurid had a long and broad leading edge flap in combination with a high-aspect-ratio tip. We propose a range of lift and drag coefficient values for use in models of metabolic power output.

Energy requirements for the flight of micro air vehicles

2001 ◽  
Vol 105 (1045) ◽  
pp. 135-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Woods ◽  
J. F. Henderson ◽  
G. D. Lock
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Micro Air Vehicles ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Low Reynolds Numbers ◽  
The Public ◽  
Flight Mode ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Lift And Drag Coefficient ◽  
Rotary Wing ◽  
Air Vehicles

Abstract This paper describes power requirements for micro air vehicles, flying in the Reynolds number regime of -lO*. Three flight modes have been researched: fixed wing, rotary wing and flapping wing. For each mode, the literature in the public domain has been reviewed to obtain appropriate lift and drag coefficient data at these low Reynolds numbers. Energy and power requirements for the three flight modes have been calculated and an optimisation procedure has been utilised to evaluate the most efficient flight mode and configuration for a variety of specified missions. The effect of wind-speed on the optimal solution has been examined. It has been discovered that when there is no hover requirement, fixed wing flight is always most energy efficient for the micro air vehicle. However, if there is a hover requirement, the suitability of flapping or rotary wing flight is dependent on the mission profile and ambient windspeed.

Cross-Wind Influence on Low Aspect Ratio Wings at Low Reynolds Numbers

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Karimi Noughabi ◽  
Mehran Tadjfar
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Micro Air Vehicles ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Aspect Ratios ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Lift And Drag Coefficient

The aerodynamics of the low aspect ratio (LAR) wings is of outmost importance in the performance of the fixed-wing micro air vehicles (MAVs). The flow around these wings is widely influenced by three dimensional (3D) phenomena: including wing-tip vortices, formation of laminar bubble, flow separation and reattachment, laminar to turbulent transition or any combination of these phenomena. All the recent studies consider the aerodynamic characteristics of the LAR wings under the effect of the direct wind. Here we focus on the numerical study of the influence of cross-wind on flow over the inverse Zimmerman wings with the aspect ratios (AR) between 1 and 2 at Reynolds numbers between 6×104 and 105. We have considered cross-wind’s angles from 0° to 40° and angle of attack from 0° to 12°. The results show that lift and drag coefficient generally decrease when the angle of the cross-wind is increased.

An association between ear and tail morphologies of bats and their foraging style

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
James D. Gardiner ◽  
Jonathan R. Codd ◽  
Robert L. Nudds
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Foraging Strategy ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Variance Analysis ◽  
Flight Performance ◽  
Wing Membrane ◽  
Trade Off ◽  
Scaling Relationships ◽  
Membrane Morphology ◽  
Foraging Flight

Most studies relating bat morphology to flight ecology have concentrated on the wing membrane. Here, canonical variance analysis showed that the ear and tail morphologies of bats also strongly relate to foraging strategy, which in turn is correlated with flight style. Variations in tail membrane morphology are likely to be a trade-off between increases in the mechanical cost of flight and improvements in foraging and flight performance. Flying with large ears is also potentially energetically expensive, particularly at high flight speeds. Large ears, therefore, are only likely to be affordable for slow foraging gleaning bat species. Bats with faster foraging flight styles tend to have smaller ears, possibly to cut the overall drag produced and reduce the power required for flight. Variations in the size of ears and tail membranes appear to be driven primarily by foraging strategy and not by body size, because the scaling relationships found are either weak or not significant. Ear size in bats may be a result of a trade-off between acoustic and aerodynamic performance.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of icing effect on aerodynamic characteristics of a wind turbine blade

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (6 Part B) ◽  
pp. 4643-4650
Author(s):  
Yan Li ◽  
Lei Shi ◽  
Wen-Feng Guo ◽  
Kotaro Tagawa ◽  
Bin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Wind Turbine ◽  
Turbine Blade ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Wind Turbine Blade ◽  
Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine ◽  
Ambient Temperatures ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Simulation Results ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Lift And Drag Coefficient

Icing accretion on wind turbine will degrade its performance, resulting in reduction of output power and even leading to accidents. For solving this problem, it is necessary to predict the icing type and shape on wind turbine blade, and evaluate the variation of aerodynamic characteristics. In this paper the icing types and shapes in presence of airfoil, selected from blade of 1.5 MW horizontal-axis wind turbine, are simulated under different ambient temperatures and icing time lengths. Based on the icing simulation results, the aerodynamic characteristics of icing airfoils are simulated, including lift and drag coefficient, lift-drag ratio, etc. The simulation results show that the glaze ice with two horns presents on airfoil under high ambient temperature such as -5?C. When ambient temperatures are low, such as -10?C and -15?C, the rime ices with streamline profiles present on the airfoil. With increase in icing time the lift forces and coefficients decrease, and the drag ones increase. According to the variations of lift-drag ratios of icing airfoil, the aerodynamic performance of airfoil deteriorates in the presence of icing. The glaze ice has great effect on aerodynamic characteristics of airfoil. The research findings lay theoretical foundation for icing wind tunnel experiment.

On the reverse swing of a cricket ball—modelling and measurements

2001 ◽  
Vol 215 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-55 ◽  
Author(s):  
A T Sayers
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Flow Visualization ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Flow Conditions ◽  
Drag Forces ◽  
Cricket Ball ◽  
Direct Measurements ◽  
Scale Ratio ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
At Will

The phenomenon of reverse swing of the ball in a game of cricket is achieved by very few bowlers, and then only by those who seem able to bowl at speeds in excess of 85 mile/h. It also seems that reverse swing cannot be achieved at will. Rather, it is obtained perhaps by accident as much as by design, its inception being as much of a surprise to the bowler as to the batsman. This would suggest that the flow conditions pertaining to reverse swing are extremely marginal at best. This paper investigates the flow conditions required for reverse swing to occur and presents data describing the lift and drag on the ball. While some direct measurements are made on a cricket ball for comparison purposes, the flow over the ball is modelled through a 2.7:1 scale ratio sphere. This permitted relatively large lift and drag forces to be measured. The results define the range of Reynolds numbers and seam angles over which reverse swing will occur, as well as the corresponding forces on the cricket ball. Flow visualization is used to indicate the state of the boundary layer.

A Numerical Study Into the Influence of Leading Edge Tubercles on the Aerodynamic Performance of a Highly Cambered High Lift Airfoil Wing at Different Reynolds Numbers

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amr Abdelrahman ◽  
Amr Emam ◽  
Ihab Adam ◽  
Hamdy Hassan ◽  
Shinichi Ookawara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Control Method ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Passive Flow Control ◽  
Passive Flow ◽  
Stall Angle ◽  
Lifting Surfaces ◽  
Lift And Drag

Abstract Through the last two decades, many studies have demonstrated the ability of leading-edge protrusions (tubercles), inspired from the pectoral flippers of the humpback whale, to be an effective passive flow control method for the stall phase of an airfoil in some cases depending on the geometrical features and the flow regime. Nevertheless, there is a little work associated with revealing tubercles performance for the lifting surfaces with a highly cambered cross-section, used in numerous applications. The present work aims to investigate the effect of implementing leading edge tubercles on the performance of an infinite span rectangular wing with the highly cambered S1223 foil at different flow regimes. Two sets; baseline one and a modified with tubercles have been studied at Re = 0.1 × 106, 0.3 × 106 and 1.5 × 106 using computational fluid dynamics with a validated model. The numerical results demonstrated that Tubercles have the ability to entirely alter the flow structure over the airfoil, confining the separation to troughs, hence, softening the stall characteristics. However, the tubercle modification expedites the presence of the stalled flow over the suction side, lowering the stall angle for the three mentioned Reynolds numbers. While, no considerable difference occurs in lift and drag before the stall.

Wind-tunnel experiments and separation control of a NACA4412 with 25○sweep at high Reynolds numbers

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Yves Passaggia ◽  
Guillermo Lopez Quesada ◽  
Stéphane Loyer ◽  
Lucien Baldas ◽  
Jean-Christophe Robinet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Separation Control ◽  
Wind Tunnel Experiments ◽  
High Reynolds Numbers ◽  
High Reynolds

Fluctuating forces on a rigid circular cylinder in confined flow

1976 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-576 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Richter ◽  
E. Naudascher
Keyword(s):  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Vortex Shedding ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Experimental Information ◽  
Rectangular Duct ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Confined Flow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lift And Drag

The fluctuating lift and drag acting on a long, rigidly supported circular cylinder placed symmetrically in a narrow rectangular duct were investigated for various blockage percentages over a wide range of Reynolds numbers around the critical value. The data obtained permit a full assessment of the effect of confinement on the mean-drag coefficient, the root-mean-square values of both the drag and the lift fluctuations, the Strouhal number of the dominant vortex shedding, and the Reynolds number marking transition from laminar to turbulent flow separation. Besides experimental information on a subject on which little is known so far, the paper provides a basis for the deduction of better correction procedures concerning the effects of blockage.

Experimental Study of Separation Control Over a Wide Range of Reynolds Numbers Using Dielectric Barrier Discharge Plasma Actuator on Airfoil

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Satoshi Sekimoto ◽  
Kozo Fujii ◽  
Masayuki Anyoji ◽  
Yuma Miyakawa ◽  
Shinichiro Ito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dielectric Barrier Discharge ◽  
Barrier Discharge ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Plasma Actuator ◽  
Chord Length ◽  
Separation Control ◽  
Dielectric Barrier ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Edge Separation

This study proposes separation control investigation using a Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma actuator on a NACA0015 airfoil over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The airfoil was a two dimensional NACA0015 wing model with chord length of 200mm. Reynolds numbers based on the chord length were ranged from 252,000 to 1,008,000. A plasma actuator was installed at the leading edge and driven with AC voltage. Burst mode (duty cycle) actuations, in which nondimensional burst frequency F+ was ranged in 0.1–30, were applied. Time-averaged pressure measurements were conducted with angles of attack from 14deg to 22deg. The results show that initial flow fields without an actuation can be classified into three types; 1) leading edge separation, 2) trailing edge separation, and 3) hysteresis condition between 1) and 2), and the effect of burst actuation is different for each above initial condition.

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