Two-Dimensional Aerodynamic Models of Insect Flight for Robotic Flapping Wing Mechanisms of Maximum Efficiency

Nguyen, T. T.; Byun, Doyoung

doi:10.1016/s1672-6529(08)60001-3

Cited by 11 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…Thus, incorporating these calculation results into a study of stability and control of a flapping wing is nontrivial. To avoid this difficulty, some authors have suggested a simpler approach based on blade element theory (BET) to estimate the aerodynamic forces [4,5,[14][15][16][17][18]. Even though the BET is used for quasi-steady aerodynamics, the forces computed by the BET can be a good reference to estimate aerodynamic force generation of a flapping wing system when the unsteady effects are properly modeled.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A modified blade element theory for estimation of forces generated by a beetle-mimicking flapping wing system

et al. 2011

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We present an unsteady blade element theory (BET) model to estimate the aerodynamic forces produced by a freely flying beetle and a beetle-mimicking flapping wing system. Added mass and rotational forces are included to accommodate the unsteady force. In addition to the aerodynamic forces needed to accurately estimate the time history of the forces, the inertial forces of the wings are also calculated. All of the force components are considered based on the full three-dimensional (3D) motion of the wing. The result obtained by the present BET model is validated with the data which were presented in a reference paper. The difference between the averages of the estimated forces (lift and drag) and the measured forces in the reference is about 5.7%. The BET model is also used to estimate the force produced by a freely flying beetle and a beetle-mimicking flapping wing system. The wing kinematics used in the BET calculation of a real beetle and the flapping wing system are captured using high-speed cameras. The results show that the average estimated vertical force of the beetle is reasonably close to the weight of the beetle, and the average estimated thrust of the beetle-mimicking flapping wing system is in good agreement with the measured value. Our results show that the unsteady lift and drag coefficients measured by Dickinson et al are still useful for relatively higher Reynolds number cases, and the proposed BET can be a good way to estimate the force produced by a flapping wing system.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A modified blade element theory for estimation of forces generated by a beetle-mimicking flapping wing system

et al. 2011

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“…The span-wise movement of the LEV is a very significant function that most models do not notice. In order to understand the wing flapping mechanism’s efficiency, the modified quasi-steady 2D modeling is a good approach [ 46 , 79 ]. Insects can increase their flight strength by interacting with the contralateral wing during the dorsal stroke’s reversal (‘clap-and-fling’), affects the power loading, propeller efficiency and the metabolic activity in the aerial body [ 80 ].…”

Section: Unique Kinematic Patterns and Wing Flexibilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Study of Mosquito Aerodynamics for Imitation as a Small Robot and Flight in a Low-Density Environment

et al. 2021

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In terms of their flight and unusual aerodynamic characteristics, mosquitoes have become a new insect of interest. Despite transmitting the most significant infectious diseases globally, mosquitoes are still among the great flyers. Depending on their size, they typically beat at a high flapping frequency in the range of 600 to 800 Hz. Flapping also lets them conceal their presence, flirt, and help them remain aloft. Their long, slender wings navigate between the most anterior and posterior wing positions through a stroke amplitude about 40 to 45°, way different from their natural counterparts (>120°). Most insects use leading-edge vortex for lift, but mosquitoes have additional aerodynamic characteristics: rotational drag, wake capture reinforcement of the trailing-edge vortex, and added mass effect. A comprehensive look at the use of these three mechanisms needs to be undertaken—the pros and cons of high-frequency, low-stroke angles, operating far beyond the normal kinematic boundary compared to other insects, and the impact on the design improvements of miniature drones and for flight in low-density atmospheres such as Mars. This paper systematically reviews these unique unsteady aerodynamic characteristics of mosquito flight, responding to the potential questions from some of these discoveries as per the existing literature. This paper also reviews state-of-the-art insect-inspired robots that are close in design to mosquitoes. The findings suggest that mosquito-based small robots can be an excellent choice for flight in a low-density environment such as Mars.

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“…There was a specific motivation behind choosing the dwarf kingfisher for this study. Most studies so far have focused either on large-sized ornithopter-type MAVs based on birds [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], unsteady and vibrational fluid-structure interaction on bats [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ], or insect-type MAVs from dragonflies to bumblebees [ 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Only a few studies have focused on mid-range species between insects and birds, which have a variety of flight benefits as shown by Abas et al [ 17 , 18 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dwarf Kingfisher-Inspired Bionic Flapping Wing and Its Aerodynamic Performance at Lowest Flight Speed

et al. 2022

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This paper aims to understand the aerodynamic performance of a bio-inspired flapping-wing model using the dwarf Kingfisher wing as the bionic reference. The paper demonstrates the numerical investigation of the Kingfisher-inspired flapping-wing followed by experimental validation to comprehend the results fully and examine the aerodynamic characteristics at a flight velocity of 4.4 m/s, with wingbeat frequencies of 11 Hz, 16 Hz, and 21 Hz, at various angles of rotation ranging from 0° to 20° for each stroke cycle. The motivation to study the performance at low speed is based on lift generation as a challenge at low speed as per quasi-steady theory. The temporal evolution of the mean force coefficients has been plotted for various angles of rotation. The results show amplification of the maximum value for the cycle average lift and drag coefficient as the rotation angle increases. The history of vertical force and the flow patterns around the wing is captured in a full cycle with asymmetric lift development in a single stroke cycle. It is observed from the results that the downstroke generates more lift force in magnitude compared to the upstroke. In addition to the rotation angle, lift asymmetry is also affected by wing–wake interaction. Experimental results reveal that there is a stable leading-edge vortex developed in the downstroke, which sheds during the upstroke. An optimum lift and thrust flapping flight can be achieved, with a lift coefficient of 3.45 at 12°. The experimental and parametric study results also reveal the importance of passive rotation in wings for aerodynamic performance and wing flexibility as an important factor for lift generation.

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Two-Dimensional Aerodynamic Models of Insect Flight for Robotic Flapping Wing Mechanisms of Maximum Efficiency

Cited by 11 publications

References 15 publications

A modified blade element theory for estimation of forces generated by a beetle-mimicking flapping wing system

A modified blade element theory for estimation of forces generated by a beetle-mimicking flapping wing system

Study of Mosquito Aerodynamics for Imitation as a Small Robot and Flight in a Low-Density Environment

Dwarf Kingfisher-Inspired Bionic Flapping Wing and Its Aerodynamic Performance at Lowest Flight Speed

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