Modeling and prediction of aerodynamic characteristics of free fall rotating wing based on experiments

Abstract

The unsteady vortex lattice method (UVLM) is used to model the aerodynamic loading on different Samara leaves (Maple seed) during their steady state flight. Experiments is performed to verify the analytical results. Parameters including the drop speed, angular velocity and coning angle for different sets of Maple Samaras were determined from experiments. The aerodynamic loads were calculated using UVLM against the forces required for maintaining a steady state flight as obtained from the experiment. Consequently, the UVLM approach yields adequate aerodynamic modelling features that can be used for more accurate flight stability analysis of the Samara flight or of decelerator devices inspired by such flight.

Unsteady Aerodynamics of Highly Maneuvering Flyers

“…Zakaria et al [7] used UVLM to model the aerodynamic loading on different Samara leaves (Maple seeds) during their steady state flight. The results were verified with experiments.…”

“…On the other hand, fluid structure interaction modeling became essential for solving flow around vibrating and rotating structure [7,[20][21][22]. Modeling such moving bodies requires aerodynamic unsteady nonlinear models to assure accuracy in modeling results rather than using quazi-steady models.…”

“…In the last two decades, there have been several efforts exerted on unsteady aerodynamic modeling based on potential flow theories as well as modified thin airfoil theory to simulate the wing motion for an arbitrary input [6,7]. The AIAA Fluid Dynamics Technical Committee's (FDTC) Low Reynolds Number Discussion Group introduced some cases for the assessment of experimental efforts [8], on large amplitude pitching maneuvers.…”

“…A tremendous work was done based on nonlinear unsteady reduced order modeling to solve flow at high frequencies [7,[14][15][16][17][18]. The recent work done by Yuelong et al [19] examined the unsteady forces and moment coefficients obtained by a thin airfoil in a pitch ramp high-amplitude motion.…”

Design and control of the first foldable single-actuator rotary wing micro aerial vehicle

“…The monocopter is thus equipped with a natural fail-safe, thanks to this ability to descend gracefully in autorotation in the event of a power failure. Autorotation of single-winged seeds is relatively well studied, both in its natural form [5][6][7], or their mechanical counterparts [8,9]. Attempts have been made to use samara-inspired flight for payload delivery in the past [10][11][12][13].…”