Low Re, High Alpha Aerodynamics with Controlled Wing Kinematics

Force Measurements on a Flapping and Pitching Wing at Low Reynolds Numbers

“…In our previous work [49], time-accurate, unsteady simulation results were analyzed and the phase relations of the leading edge and trailing edge vortex (LEV/TEV) dynamics to cyclical lift variation were established. The results show the fixed wing undergoing a high-lift phase during each lift cycle.…”

“…Another motivation for the present work is to experimentally investigate the reduced frequency optimum proposed by the authors' in a previous study based on two-dimensional flow simulation [49]. The reduced frequency, k = 0.092 in the present study.…”

Unsteady Flow Features of a Flapping and Pitching Wing at Low Reynolds Number

“…Considering how rapidly the vortices diffuse 6 , a simple model that includes only one vortex in the interaction might be sufficient to account for most of the effects. The flow physics underlying the two previously proposed concepts 5,6 , LE/TE switching and frequency tuning, can both be understood in terms of vortex-body interactions considered in our earlier work. The schematic in Fig.…”

“…Previous work by many investigators include experiments on live animals as well as model studies. Our flow simulation 5 and experimental 6 studies have led us to propose some interesting aspects of a flapping and pitching wing at low Reynolds numbers. In addition to Reynolds number scaling, reduced frequency scaling was emphasized as a factor that should be considered in analyzing insect flight.…”

“…This paper is part of an ongoing study on the unsteady flow field of a flapping and pitching wing at low Reynolds numbers. The large body of work available in the literature covering various aspects of insect flight has been reviewed in our previous work 5,6 . Previous work by many investigators include experiments on live animals as well as model studies.…”