scholarly journals Scaling of the performance of insect-inspired passive-pitching flapping wings

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (161) ◽  
pp. 20190609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kit Sum Wu ◽  
Jerome Nowak ◽  
Kenneth S. Breuer
Keyword(s):  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Flapping Wing ◽  
Dimensionless Parameters ◽  
Linear Elastic ◽  
Simple Implementation ◽  
Pitch Regulation ◽  
Cauchy Number

Flapping flight using passive pitch regulation is a commonly used mode of thrust and lift generation in insects and has been widely emulated in flying vehicles because it allows for simple implementation of the complex kinematics associated with flapping wing systems. Although robotic flight employing passive pitching to regulate angle of attack has been previously demonstrated, there does not exist a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of this mode of aerodynamic force generation, nor a method to accurately predict its performance over a range of relevant scales. Here, we present such scaling laws, incorporating aerodynamic, inertial and structural elements of the flapping-wing system, validating the theoretical considerations using a mechanical model which is tested for a linear elastic hinge and near-sinusoidal stroke kinematics over a range of scales, hinge stiffnesses and flapping frequencies. We find that suitably defined dimensionless parameters, including the Reynolds number, Re , the Cauchy number, Ch , and a newly defined ‘inertial-elastic’ number, IE, can reliably predict the kinematic and aerodynamic performance of the system. Our results also reveal a consistent dependency of pitching kinematics on these dimensionless parameters, providing a connection between lift coefficient and kinematic features such as angle of attack and wing rotation.

scholarly journals Quasi-Steady versus Navier–Stokes Solutions of Flapping Wing Aerodynamics

Fluids ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Pohly ◽  
James Salmon ◽  
James Bluman ◽  
Kabilan Nedunchezian ◽  
Chang-kwon Kang
Keyword(s):  
Stokes Equations ◽  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Flapping Wing ◽  
Navier Stokes ◽  
Pitching Motion ◽  
Navier Stokes Equations ◽  
Wing Motion

Various tools have been developed to model the aerodynamics of flapping wings. In particular, quasi-steady models, which are considerably faster and easier to solve than the Navier–Stokes equations, are often utilized in the study of flight dynamics of flapping wing flyers. However, the accuracy of the quasi-steady models has not been properly documented. The objective of this study is to assess the accuracy of a quasi-steady model by comparing the resulting aerodynamic forces against three-dimensional (3D) Navier–Stokes solutions. The same wing motion is prescribed at a fruit fly scale. The pitching amplitude, axis, and duration are varied. Comparison of the aerodynamic force coefficients suggests that the quasi-steady model shows significant discrepancies under extreme pitching motions, i.e., the pitching motion is large, quick, and occurs about the leading or trailing edge. The differences are as large as 1.7 in the cycle-averaged lift coefficient. The quasi-steady model performs well when the kinematics are mild, i.e., the pitching motion is small, long, and occurs near the mid-chord with a small difference in the lift coefficient of 0.01. Our analysis suggests that the main source for the error is the inaccuracy of the rotational lift term and the inability to model the wing-wake interaction in the quasi-steady model.

scholarly journals The control of flight force by a flapping wing: lift and drag production

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (15) ◽  
pp. 2607-2626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay P. Sane ◽  
Michael H. Dickinson
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Force Sensor ◽  
Aerodynamic Forces ◽  
Wing Kinematics ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Stroke Amplitude

SUMMARYWe used a dynamically scaled mechanical model of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to study how changes in wing kinematics influence the production of unsteady aerodynamic forces in insect flight. We examined 191 separate sets of kinematic patterns that differed with respect to stroke amplitude, angle of attack, flip timing, flip duration and the shape and magnitude of stroke deviation. Instantaneous aerodynamic forces were measured using a two-dimensional force sensor mounted at the base of the wing. The influence of unsteady rotational effects was assessed by comparing the time course of measured forces with that of corresponding translational quasi-steady estimates. For each pattern, we also calculated mean stroke-averaged values of the force coefficients and an estimate of profile power. The results of this analysis may be divided into four main points.(i) For a short, symmetrical wing flip, mean lift was optimized by a stroke amplitude of 180° and an angle of attack of 50°. At all stroke amplitudes, mean drag increased monotonically with increasing angle of attack. Translational quasi-steady predictions better matched the measured values at high stroke amplitude than at low stroke amplitude. This discrepancy was due to the increasing importance of rotational mechanisms in kinematic patterns with low stroke amplitude.(ii) For a 180° stroke amplitude and a 45° angle of attack, lift was maximized by short-duration flips occurring just slightly in advance of stroke reversal. Symmetrical rotations produced similarly high performance. Wing rotation that occurred after stroke reversal, however, produced very low mean lift.(iii) The production of aerodynamic forces was sensitive to changes in the magnitude of the wing’s deviation from the mean stroke plane (stroke deviation) as well as to the actual shape of the wing tip trajectory. However, in all examples, stroke deviation lowered aerodynamic performance relative to the no deviation case. This attenuation was due, in part, to a trade-off between lift and a radially directed component of total aerodynamic force. Thus, while we found no evidence that stroke deviation can augment lift, it nevertheless may be used to modulate forces on the two wings. Thus, insects might use such changes in wing kinematics during steering maneuvers to generate appropriate force moments.(iv) While quasi-steady estimates failed to capture the time course of measured lift for nearly all kinematic patterns, they did predict with reasonable accuracy stroke-averaged values for the mean lift coefficient. However, quasi-steady estimates grossly underestimated the magnitude of the mean drag coefficient under all conditions. This discrepancy was due to the contribution of rotational effects that steady-state estimates do not capture. This result suggests that many prior estimates of mechanical power based on wing kinematics may have been grossly underestimated.

scholarly journals Scalability of resonant motor-driven flapping wing propulsion systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 210452
Author(s):  
Mostafa R. A. Nabawy ◽  
Ruta Marcinkeviciute
Keyword(s):  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Flapping Wing ◽  
Design Solution ◽  
System Efficiency ◽  
Operational Parameters ◽  
Design Environment ◽  
Propulsion Systems ◽  
Constant Angle

This work aims to develop an integrated conceptual design process to assess the scalability and performance of propulsion systems of resonant motor-driven flapping wing vehicles. The developed process allows designers to explore the interaction between electrical, mechanical and aerodynamic domains in a single transparent design environment. Wings are modelled based on a quasi-steady treatment that evaluates aerodynamics from geometry and kinematic information. System mechanics is modelled as a damped second-order dynamic system operating at resonance with nonlinear aerodynamic damping. Motors are modelled using standard equations that relate operational parameters and AC voltage input. Design scaling laws are developed using available data based on current levels of technology. The design method provides insights into the effects of changing core design variables such as the actuator size, actuator mass fraction and pitching kinematics on the overall design solution. It is shown that system efficiency achieves peak values of 30–36% at motor masses of 0.5–1 g when a constant angle of attack kinematics is employed. While sinusoidal angle of attack kinematics demands more aerodynamic and electric powers compared with the constant angle of attack case, sinusoidal angle of attack kinematics can lead to a maximum difference of around 15% in peak system efficiency.

Effects of Flapping Wing Angle of Attack on Lift and Thrust

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yutong Wang ◽  
Shankar Kalyanasundaram ◽  
John Young
Keyword(s):  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Flapping Wing

Thermal and structural response of aerospike mounted on blunt-nose body

2020 ◽  
pp. 095441002097648
Author(s):  
Zhang ZhunHyok ◽  
Won CholJin ◽  
Ri CholUk ◽  
Kim CholJin ◽  
Kim RyongSop
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Coupling Effect ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Structural Response ◽  
Response Characteristic ◽  
Wave Drag ◽  
Hypersonic Vehicle ◽  
Loosely Coupled ◽  
Calculation Results ◽  
Blunt Nose

The inclusion of aerospike on blunt nose body of hypersonic vehicle has been considered to be the simplest and most efficient technique for a concurrent reduction of both aeroheating and wave drag due to hypersonic speed. However, the thermal and mechanical behavior of aerospike structure under the coupling effect of aerodynamic force and aeroheating remains unclear. In this study, the thermal and structural response of aerospike mounted on the blunt nose body of hypersonic vehicle was numerically simulated by applying 3 D fluid-thermal-structural coupling method based on loosely-coupled strategy. In the simulation, the angle-of-attack and the spike’s length and diameter are differently set as α = 0°–10°, L/D = 1–2 and d/D = 0.05–0.15, respectively. Through the parametric study, the following results were obtained. Firstly, the increase of vehicle’s angle-of-attack and spike’s length unfavorably affect the thermal and structural response of aerospike. Secondly, the increase of spike’s diameter can improve its structural response characteristic. Finally, the aerospike with the angle-of-attack of 0° and the length and diameter of L/D = 1 and d/D = 0.15, respectively, is preferred in consideration of the effect of flight angle-of-attack and spike’s geometrical structure on the thermal and structural response of spike and the drag reduction of vehicle. The numerical calculation results provide a technical support for the safe design of aerospike.

scholarly journals Numerical simulation of flapping airfoil with alula

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175682932097798
Author(s):  
Han Bao ◽  
Wenqing Yang ◽  
Dongfu Ma ◽  
Wenping Song ◽  
Bifeng Song
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Geometric Parameters ◽  
Flight Performance ◽  
Relative Angle ◽  
Vertical Distance ◽  
Unsteady Effect ◽  
Flapping Airfoil

Bionic micro aerial vehicles have become popular because of their high thrust efficiency and deceptive appearances. Leading edge or trailing edge devices (such as slots or flaps) are often used to improve the flight performance. Birds in nature also have leading-edge devices, known as the alula that can improve their flight performance at large angles of attack. In the present study, the aerodynamic performance of a flapping airfoil with alula is numerically simulated to illustrate the effects of different alula geometric parameters. Different alula relative angles of attack β (the angle between the chord line of the alula and that of the main airfoil) and vertical distances h between the alula and the main airfoil are simulated at pre-stall and post-stall conditions. Results show that at pre-stall condition, the lift increases with the relative angle of attack and the vertical distance, but the aerodynamic performance is degraded in the presence of alula compared with no alula, whereas at post-stall condition, the alula greatly enhances the lift. However, there seems to be an optimal relative angle of attack for the maximum lift enhancement at a fixed vertical distance considering the unsteady effect, which may indicate birds can adjust the alula twisting at different spanwise positions to achieve the best flight performance. Different alula geometric parameters may affect the aerodynamic force by modifying the pressure distribution along the airfoil. The results are instructive for design of flapping-wing bionic unmanned air vehicles.

Lock-in regions of laminar flows over a streamwise oscillating circular cylinder

2018 ◽  
Vol 858 ◽  
pp. 315-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ki-Ha Kim ◽  
Jung-Il Choi
Keyword(s):  
Circular Cylinder ◽  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Lower Boundary ◽  
Laminar Flows ◽  
Velocity Range ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Vortex Pattern ◽  
Moving Cylinder ◽  
Lock In

In this paper, flow over a streamwise oscillating circular cylinder is numerically simulated to examine the effects of the driving amplitude and frequency on the distribution of the lock-in regions in laminar flows. At $Re=100$, lock-in is categorized according to the spectral features of the lift coefficient as two different lock-in phenomena: harmonic and subharmonic lock-in. These lock-in phenomena are represented as maps on the driving amplitude–frequency plane, which have subharmonic lock-in regions and two harmonic lock-in regions. The frequency range of the subharmonic region is shifted to lower frequencies with increasing amplitude, and the lower boundary of this subharmonic region is successfully predicted. A symmetric harmonic region with a symmetric vortex pattern is observed in a certain velocity range for a moving cylinder. Aerodynamic features induced by different flow patterns in each region are presented on the driving amplitude–frequency plane. The lock-in region and aerodynamic features at $Re=200$ and $40$ are compared with the results for $Re=100$. A subharmonic region and two harmonic regions are observed at $Re=200$, and these show the same features as for $Re=100$ at a low driving amplitude. Lock-in at $Re=40$ also shows one subharmonic region and two harmonic regions. However, compared with the $Re=100$ case, the symmetric harmonic lock-in is dominant. The features of aerodynamic force at $Re=200$ and $40$ are represented on a force map, which shows similar characteristics in corresponding regions for the $Re=100$ case.

scholarly journals Aerodynamic Analysis of Blended Wing Body - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (BWB-UAV) Equipped with Horizontal Stabilizers

2019 ◽  
Vol 256 ◽  
pp. 02004
Author(s):  
Nornashiha Mohd Saad ◽  
Wirachman Wisnoe ◽  
Rizal Effendy Mohd Nasir ◽  
Zurriati Mohd Ali ◽  
Ehan Sabah Shukri Askari
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Flight Test ◽  
Longitudinal Direction ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Pitching Moment ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Blended Wing Body

This paper presents an aerodynamic characteristic study in longitudinal direction of UiTM Blended Wing Body-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Prototype (BWB-UAV Prototype) equipped with horizontal stabilizers. Flight tests have been conducted and as the result, BWB experienced overturning condition at certain angle of attack. Horizontal stabilizer was added at different location and size to overcome the issue during the flight test. Therefore, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis is performed at different configuration of horizontal stabilizer using Spalart - Allmaras as a turbulence model. CFD simulation of the aircraft is conducted at Mach number 0.06 or v = 20 m/s at various angle of attack, α. The data of lift coefficient (CL), drag coefficient (CD), and pitching moment coefficient (CM) is obtained from the simulations. The data is represented in curves against angle of attack to measure the performance of BWB prototype with horizontal stabilizer. From the simulation, configuration with far distance and large horizontal stabilizer gives steeper negative pitching moment slope indicating better static stability of the aircraft.

scholarly journals 2D Numerical Simulation Study of Airfoil Performance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nasser Shelil
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Wind Turbines ◽  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Angle Of Attack ◽  
Turbulence Models ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Ansys Fluent

Abstract. The aerodynamic characteristics of DTU-LN221 airfoil is studied. ANSYS Fluent is used to simulate the airfoil performance with seven different turbulence models. The simulation results for the airfoil with different turbulence models are compared with the wind tunnel experimental data performed under the same operating conditions. It is found that there is a good agreement between the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) predicted aerodynamic force coefficients with wind tunnel experimental data especially with angle of attack between −5° to 10°. RSM is chosen to investigate the flow field structure and the surface pressure coefficients under different angle of attack between −5° to 10°. Also the effect of changing air temperature, velocity and turbulence intensity on lift and drag coefficients/forces are examined. The results show that it is recommended to operate the wind turbines airfoil at low air temperature and high velocity to enhance the performance of the wind turbines.

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