Effect of flapping kinematics on the mean lift of an insect-like flapping wing

An experimental investigation of the effects of varying flapping kinematics on the mean lift produced by an insect-like flapping wing in hover is presented. This was performed with application to flapping-wing micro-air vehicles (FMAVs) in mind. Experiments were accomplished with a first-of-its-kind mechanical flapping-wing apparatus capable of reproducing a wide range of insect-like wing motions in air on the FMAV scale (~150 mm wingspan). This apparatus gives an insect-like wing the three controllable degrees of freedom required to produce the three separate motions necessary for mimicking an insect-like flapping-wing trajectory: sweeping (side to side), plunging (up and down), and pitching (angle of attack variation). Lift was measured via a force balance while the following kinematic parameters were varied: flapping frequency (f ), angle of attack at mid-stroke (αmid), timing of pitch reversal with stroke reversal (rotation phase), stroke amplitude (Φ), and plunge amplitude (Θ). Results revealed that mean lift scaled with f   1.5 and varied proportionally with Φ. A pitch reversal advanced by up to 5 per cent of the flapping period relative to stroke reversal was found to maximize mean lift, and delayed pitch reversals were detrimental to mean lift. Of the parameters tested, mean lift was also maximized for αmid = 45° and Θ = 8.6°.

[1]  C. B. Pedersen.  An indicial-polhamus model of aerodynamics of insect-like flapping wings in hover , 2011 .

[2]  R. Zbikowski,et al.  Experimental investigation of some aspects of insect-like flapping flight aerodynamics for application to micro air vehicles , 2009 .

[3]  Kevin Knowles,et al.  The leading-edge vortex and aerodynamics of insect-based flapping-wing micro air vehicles , 2009, The Aeronautical Journal (1968).

[4]  R. Zbikowski,et al.  Insectlike Flapping Wings in the Hover Part I: Effect of Wing Kinematics , 2008 .

[5]  P. C. Wilkins,et al.  Some unsteady aerodynamics relevant to insect-inspired flapping-wing micro air vehicles , 2008 .

[6]  Yuan Lu,et al.  Three-dimensional flow structures and evolution of the leading-edge vortices on a flapping wing , 2008, Journal of Experimental Biology.

[7]  S C Burgess,et al.  Design of a parallel crank-rocker flapping mechanism for insect-inspired micro air vehicles , 2007 .

[8]  Rafał Żbikowski,et al.  Materials challenges in the design of an insect-like flapping wing mechanism based on a four-bar linkage , 2007 .

[9]  Yuan Lu,et al.  Dual leading-edge vortices on flapping wings , 2006, Journal of Experimental Biology.

[10]  J. Leishman,et al.  Phase-locked particle image velocimetry measurements of a flapping wing , 2006 .

[11]  Kevin Knowles,et al.  Aerodynamic modelling of insect-like flapping flight for micro air vehicles , 2006 .

[12]  Rafal Zbikowski,et al.  Four-Bar Linkage Mechanism for Insectlike Flapping Wings in Hover: Concept and an Outline of Its Realization , 2005 .

[13]  R. Zbikowski,et al.  Insect-like flapping wing mechanism based on a double spherical Scotch yoke , 2005, Journal of The Royal Society Interface.

[14]  J. Gordon Leishman,et al.  Flow Visualization of Micro Air Vehicle Scaled Insect-Based Flapping Wings. , 2005 .

[15]  Sam Heathcote,et al.  Flexible flapping airfoil propulsion at low Reynolds numbers , 2005 .

[16]  A. Luc-Bouhali.  PROGRESS OF THE REMANTA PROJECT ON MAV WITH FLAPPING WINGS , 2004 .

[17]  J. Usherwood,et al.  The aerodynamics of revolving wings I. Model hawkmoth wings. , 2002, The Journal of experimental biology.

[18]  M. Dickinson,et al.  Spanwise flow and the attachment of the leading-edge vortex on insect wings , 2001, Nature.

[19]  M. Dickinson,et al.  The control of flight force by a flapping wing: lift and drag production. , 2001, The Journal of experimental biology.

[20]  Gary D. Lock,et al.  Energy requirements for the flight of micro air vehicles , 2001, The Aeronautical Journal (1968).

[21]  S. Sunada,et al.  Unsteady Forces on a Two-Dimensional Wing in Plunging and Pitching Motions , 2001 .

[22]  M. Dickinson,et al.  Wing rotation and the aerodynamic basis of insect flight. , 1999, Science.

[23]  C. Ellington,et al.  The mechanics of flight in the hawkmoth Manduca sexta. I. Kinematics of hovering and forward flight. , 1997, The Journal of experimental biology.

[24]  C. Ellington,et al.  The vortex wake of a ‘hovering’ model hawkmoth , 1997 .

[25]  Adrian L. R. Thomas,et al.  Leading-edge vortices in insect flight , 1996, Nature.

[26]  M. Dickinson,et al.  UNSTEADY AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE OF MODEL WINGS AT LOW REYNOLDS NUMBERS , 1993 .

[27]  Marvin Luttges,et al.  Visualization of unsteady separated flow produced by mechanically driven dragonfly wing kinematics model , 1988 .

[28]  M. Luttges,et al.  Three-dimensional flow produced by a pitching-plunging model dragonfly wing , 1987 .

[29]  G. Spedding,et al.  The generation of circulation and lift in a rigid two-dimensional fling , 1986, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[30]  B. G. Newman,et al.  The Role of Vortices and Unsteady Effects During the Hovering Flight of Dragonflies , 1979 .

[31]  T. Maxworthy.  Experiments on the Weis-Fogh mechanism of lift generation by insects in hovering flight. Part 1. Dynamics of the ‘fling’ , 1979, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[32]  L. Bennett.  Clap and Fling Aerodynamics-An Experimental Evaluation , 1977 .

[33]  M. Lighthill.  On the Weis-Fogh mechanism of lift generation , 1973, Journal of Fluid Mechanics.

[34]  T. Weis-Fogh.  Quick estimates of flight fitness in hovering animals , 1973 .

[35]  L. Bennett.  Insect Flight: Lift and Rate of Change of Incidence , 1970, Science.

[36]  L. Bennett.  Insect Aerodynamics: Vertical Sustaining Force in Near-Hovering Flight , 1966, Science.

[37]  Herbert Wagner.  Über die Entstehung des dynamischen Auftriebes von Tragflügeln , 1925 .