scholarly journals Flight efficiency is a key to diverse wing morphologies in small insects

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (183) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Engels ◽  
Dmitry Kolomenskiy ◽  
Fritz-Olaf Lehmann
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Similar Efficacy ◽  
Efficient Production ◽  
Wing Membrane ◽  
Aerodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Energy Expenditures ◽  
Insect Wings ◽  
Lift And Drag

Insect wings are hybrid structures that are typically composed of veins and solid membranes. In some of the smallest flying insects, however, the wing membrane is replaced by hair-like bristles attached to a solid root. Bristles and membranous wing surfaces coexist in small but not in large insect species. There is no satisfying explanation for this finding as aerodynamic force production is always smaller in bristled than solid wings. This computational study suggests that the diversity of wing structure in small insects results from aerodynamic efficiency rather than from the requirements to produce elevated forces for flight. The tested wings vary from fully membranous to sparsely bristled and were flapped around a wing root with lift- and drag-based wing kinematic patterns and at different Reynolds numbers ( Re ). The results show that the decrease in aerodynamic efficiency with decreasing surface solidity is significantly smaller at Re = 4 than Re = 57. A replacement of wing membrane by bristles thus causes less change in energetic costs for flight in small compared to large insects. As a consequence, small insects may fly with bristled and solid wing surfaces at similar efficacy, while larger insects must use membranous wings for an efficient production of flight forces. The above findings are significant for the biological fitness and dispersal of insects that fly at elevated energy expenditures.

scholarly journals Reconstructing Full-Field Flapping Wing Dynamics from Sparse Measurements

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Johns ◽  
Lisa Davis ◽  
Mark Jankauski
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Energetic Efficiency ◽  
Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Reconstruction Method ◽  
Full Field ◽  
Insect Wing ◽  
Insect Wings ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Sparse Measurements

AbstractFlapping insect wings deform during flight. This deformation benefits the insect’s aerodynamic force production as well as energetic efficiency. However, it is challenging to measure wing displacement field in flying insects. Many points must be tracked over the wing’s surface to resolve its instantaneous shape. To reduce the number of points one is required to track, we propose a physics-based reconstruction method called System Equivalent Reduction Expansion Processes (SEREP) to estimate wing deformation and strain from sparse measurements. Measurement locations are determined using a Weighted Normalized Modal Displacement (NMD) method. We experimentally validate the reconstruction technique by flapping a paper wing from 5-9 Hz with 45° and measuring strain at three locations. Two measurements are used for the reconstruction and the third for validation. Strain reconstructions had a maximal error of 30% in amplitude. We extend this methodology to a more realistic insect wing through numerical simulation. We show that wing displacement can be estimated from sparse displacement or strain measurements, and that additional sensors spatially average measurement noise to improve reconstruction accuracy. This research helps overcome some of the challenges of measuring full-field dynamics in flying insects and provides a framework for strain-based sensing in insect-inspired flapping robots.

scholarly journals Computational Study Of Curved Underbody Diffusers

2019 ◽  
Vol 128 ◽  
pp. 10002
Author(s):  
Angel Huminic ◽  
Gabriela Huminic
Keyword(s):  
Computational Study ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Passenger Car ◽  
Lift And Drag ◽  
Underbody Diffuser ◽  
Ahmed Body

This paper presents new results concerning the aerodynamics of the Ahmed body fitted with a non-flat underbody diffuser. As in previous investigations performed, the angle and the length of the diffuser are the parameters systematically varied within ranges relevant for a hatchback passenger car. Coefficients of lift and drag are compared with the values obtained for the flat underbody diffuser, and the results reveal significant improvements concerning aerodynamic characteristics of body.

An Investigation of Flow Fields Over Multi-Element Aerofoils

2001 ◽  
Vol 124 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. R. Maddah ◽  
H. H. Bruun
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Computational Study ◽  
Separated Flow ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Model Configuration ◽  
Attached Flow ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Flap Deflection ◽  
Comparative Results ◽  
Lift And Drag

This paper presents results obtained from a combined experimental and computational study of the flow field over a multi-element aerofoil with and without an advanced slat. Detailed measurements of the mean flow and turbulent quantities over a multi-element aerofoil model in a wind tunnel have been carried out using stationary and flying hot-wire (FHW) probes. The model configuration which spans the test section 600mm×600mm, is made of three parts: 1) an advanced (heel-less) slat, 2) a NACA 4412 main aerofoil and 3) a NACA 4415 flap. The chord lengths of the elements were 38, 250 and 83 mm, respectively. The results were obtained at a chord Reynolds number of 3×105 and a free Mach number of less than 0.1. The variations in the flow field are explained with reference to three distinct flow field regimes: attached flow, intermittent separated flow, and separated flow. Initial comparative results are presented for the single main aerofoil and the main aerofoil with a nondeflected flap at angles of attacks of 5, 10, and 15 deg. This is followed by the results for the three-element aerofoil with emphasis on the slat performance at angles of attack α=10, 15, 20, and 25 deg. Results are discussed both for a nondeflected flap δf=0deg and a deflected flap δf=25deg. The measurements presented are combined with other related aerofoil measurements to explain the main interaction of the slat/main aerofoil and main aerofoil/flap both for nondeflected and deflected flap conditions. These results are linked to numerically calculated variations in lift and drag coefficients with angle of attack and flap deflection angle.

scholarly journals Circulation in Insect Wings

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 1208-1220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary K Salcedo ◽  
John J Socha
Keyword(s):  
Flexible Structures ◽  
Wing Venation ◽  
Living Tissue ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Active Sensors ◽  
Wing Membrane ◽  
Insect Wings ◽  
Sensory Hairs ◽  
History Of ◽  
Membrane Wing

Synopsis Insect wings are living, flexible structures composed of tubular veins and thin wing membrane. Wing veins can contain hemolymph (insect blood), tracheae, and nerves. Continuous flow of hemolymph within insect wings ensures that sensory hairs, structural elements such as resilin, and other living tissue within the wings remain functional. While it is well known that hemolymph circulates through insect wings, the extent of wing circulation (e.g., whether flow is present in every vein, and whether it is confined to the veins alone) is not well understood, especially for wings with complex wing venation. Over the last 100 years, scientists have developed experimental methods including microscopy, fluorescence, and thermography to observe flow in the wings. Recognizing and evaluating the importance of hemolymph movement in insect wings is critical in evaluating how the wings function both as flight appendages, as active sensors, and as thermoregulatory organs. In this review, we discuss the history of circulation in wings, past and present experimental techniques for measuring hemolymph, and broad implications for the field of hemodynamics in insect wings.

scholarly journals A chordwise offset of the wing-pitch axis enhances rotational aerodynamic forces on insect wings: a numerical study

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (155) ◽  
pp. 20190118 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter G. van Veen ◽  
Johan L. van Leeuwen ◽  
Florian T. Muijres
Keyword(s):  
Flight Control ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Aerodynamic Forces ◽  
Rotational Force ◽  
Wing Motion ◽  
Forward Stroke ◽  
Insect Wings ◽  
Force Mechanism ◽  
Numerical Parametric Study

Most flying animals produce aerodynamic forces by flapping their wings back and forth with a complex wingbeat pattern. The fluid dynamics that underlies this motion has been divided into separate aerodynamic mechanisms of which rotational lift, that results from fast wing pitch rotations, is particularly important for flight control and manoeuvrability. This rotational force mechanism has been modelled using Kutta–Joukowski theory, which combines the forward stroke motion of the wing with the fast pitch motion to compute forces. Recent studies, however, suggest that hovering insects can produce rotational forces at stroke reversal, without a forward motion of the wing. We have conducted a broad numerical parametric study over a range of wing morphologies and wing kinematics to show that rotational force production depends on two mechanisms: (i) conventional Kutta–Joukowski-based rotational forces and (ii) a rotational force mechanism that enables insects with an offset of the pitch axis relative to the wing's chordwise symmetry axis to generate rotational forces in the absence of forward wing motion. Because flying animals produce control actions frequently near stroke reversal, this pitch-axis-offset dependent aerodynamic mechanism may be particularly important for understanding control and manoeuvrability in natural flyers.

Deformable Blade Element and Unsteady Vortex Lattice Fluid-Structure Interaction Modeling of a 2D Flapping Wing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Reade ◽  
Mark A. Jankauski
Keyword(s):  
Vortex Lattice ◽  
Normal Force ◽  
Aerodynamic Force ◽  
Fluid Structure Interaction ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Flapping Wing ◽  
Energetic Efficiency ◽  
Fluid Structure ◽  
Structure Interaction ◽  
Blade Element

Abstract Flapping insect wings experience appreciable deformation due to aerodynamic and inertial forces. This deformation is believed to benefit the insect’s aerodynamic force production as well as energetic efficiency. However, the fluid-structure interaction (FSI) models used to estimate wing deformations are often computationally demanding and are therefore challenged by parametric studies. Here, we develop a simple FSI model of a flapping wing idealized as a two-dimensional pitching-plunging airfoil. Using the Lagrangian formulation, we derive the reduced-order structural framework governing wing’s elastic deformation. We consider two fluid models: quasi-steady Deformable Blade Element Theory (DBET) and Unsteady Vortex Lattice Method (UVLM). DBET is computationally economical but does not provide insight into the flow structure surrounding the wing, whereas UVLM approximates flows but requires more time to solve. For simple flapping kinematics, DBET and UVLM produce similar estimates of the aerodynamic force normal to the surface of a rigid wing. More importantly, when the wing is permitted to deform, DBET and UVLM agree well in predicting wingtip deflection and aerodynamic normal force. The most notable difference between the model predictions is a roughly 20° phase difference in normal force. DBET estimates wing deformation and force production approximately 15 times faster than UVLM for the parameters considered, and both models solve in under a minute when considering 15 flapping periods. Moving forward, we will benchmark both low-order models with respect to high fidelity computational fluid dynamics coupled to finite element analysis, and assess the agreement between DBET and UVLM over a broader range of flapping kinematics.

scholarly journals The Interaction of Compliance and Activation on the Force-Length Operating Range and Force Generating Capacity of Skeletal Muscle: A Computational Study using a Guinea Fowl Musculoskeletal Model

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
S M Cox ◽  
K L Easton ◽  
M Cromie Lear ◽  
R L Marsh ◽  
S L Delp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computational Study ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Musculoskeletal Model ◽  
Guinea Fowl ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Compliance Level ◽  
Generating Capacity ◽  
Low Sensitivity ◽  
Fixed End ◽  
Tendon Compliance

Synopsis A muscle’s performance is influenced by where it operates on its force–length (F–L) curve. Here we explore how activation and tendon compliance interact to influence muscle operating lengths and force-generating capacity. To study this, we built a musculoskeletal model of the lower limb of the guinea fowl and simulated the F–L operating range during fixed-end fixed-posture contractions for 39 actuators under thousands of combinations of activation and posture using three different muscle models: Muscles with non-compliant tendons, muscles with compliant tendons but no activation-dependent shift in optimal fiber length (L0), and muscles with both compliant tendons and activation-dependent shifts in L0. We found that activation-dependent effects altered muscle fiber lengths up to 40% and increased or decreased force capacity by up to 50% during fixed-end contractions. Typically, activation-compliance effects reduce muscle force and are dominated by the effects of tendon compliance at high activations. At low activation, however, activation-dependent shifts in L0 are equally important and can result in relative force changes for low compliance muscles of up to 60%. There are regions of the F–L curve in which muscles are most sensitive to compliance and there are troughs of influence where these factors have little effect. These regions are hard to predict, though, because the magnitude and location of these areas of high and low sensitivity shift with compliance level. In this study we provide a map for when these effects will meaningfully influence force capacity and an example of their contributions to force production during a static task, namely standing.

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