scholarly journals Fruit fly scale robots can hover longer with flapping wings than with spinning wings

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (123) ◽  
pp. 20160730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elliot W. Hawkes ◽  
David Lentink
Keyword(s):  
Scaling Laws ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Flapping Wings ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Micro Robot ◽  
Actuator System ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Level Analysis ◽  
Flying Robots

Hovering flies generate exceptionally high lift, because their wings generate a stable leading edge vortex. Micro flying robots with a similar wing design can generate similar high lift by either flapping or spinning their wings. While it requires less power to spin a wing, the overall efficiency depends also on the actuator system driving the wing. Here, we present the first holistic analysis to calculate how long a fly-inspired micro robot can hover with flapping versus spinning wings across scales. We integrate aerodynamic data with data-driven scaling laws for actuator, electronics and mechanism performance from fruit fly to hummingbird scales. Our analysis finds that spinning wings driven by rotary actuators are superior for robots with wingspans similar to hummingbirds, yet flapping wings driven by oscillatory actuators are superior at fruit fly scale. This crossover is driven by the reduction in performance of rotary compared with oscillatory actuators at smaller scale. Our calculations emphasize that a systems-level analysis is essential for trading-off flapping versus spinning wings for micro flying robots.

scholarly journals On the lift-optimal aspect ratio of a revolving wing at low Reynolds number

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (143) ◽  
pp. 20170933 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Jardin ◽  
T. Colonius
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Rossby Number ◽  
Subsequent Work ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Low Aspect Ratio ◽  
Axis Of Rotation ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Convergent Solution

Lentink & Dickinson (2009 J. Exp. Biol. 212 , 2705–2719. ( doi:10.1242/jeb.022269 )) showed that rotational acceleration stabilized the leading-edge vortex on revolving, low aspect ratio (AR) wings and hypothesized that a Rossby number of around 3, which is achieved during each half-stroke for a variety of hovering insects, seeds and birds, represents a convergent high-lift solution across a range of scales in nature. Subsequent work has verified that, in particular, the Coriolis acceleration plays a key role in LEV stabilization. Implicit in these results is that there exists an optimal AR for wings revolving about their root, because it is otherwise unclear why, apart from possible morphological reasons, the convergent solution would not occur for an even lower Rossby number. We perform direct numerical simulations of the flow past revolving wings where we vary the AR and Rossby numbers independently by displacing the wing root from the axis of rotation. We show that the optimal lift coefficient represents a compromise between competing trends with competing time scales where the coefficient of lift increases monotonically with AR, holding Rossby number constant, but decreases monotonically with Rossby number, when holding AR constant. For wings revolving about their root, this favours wings of AR between 3 and 4.

scholarly journals Three-dimensional vortex wake structure of flapping wings in hovering flight

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (91) ◽  
pp. 20130984 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo Cheng ◽  
Jesse Roll ◽  
Yun Liu ◽  
Daniel R. Troolin ◽  
Xinyan Deng
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Flapping Wings ◽  
Vortex Wake ◽  
Wake Structure ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Vorticity Transport

Flapping wings continuously create and send vortices into their wake, while imparting downward momentum into the surrounding fluid. However, experimental studies concerning the details of the three-dimensional vorticity distribution and evolution in the far wake are limited. In this study, the three-dimensional vortex wake structure in both the near and far field of a dynamically scaled flapping wing was investigated experimentally, using volumetric three-component velocimetry. A single wing, with shape and kinematics similar to those of a fruitfly, was examined. The overall result of the wing action is to create an integrated vortex structure consisting of a tip vortex (TV), trailing-edge shear layer (TESL) and leading-edge vortex. The TESL rolls up into a root vortex (RV) as it is shed from the wing, and together with the TV, contracts radially and stretches tangentially in the downstream wake. The downwash is distributed in an arc-shaped region enclosed by the stretched tangential vorticity of the TVs and the RVs. A closed vortex ring structure is not observed in the current study owing to the lack of well-established starting and stopping vortex structures that smoothly connect the TV and RV. An evaluation of the vorticity transport equation shows that both the TV and the RV undergo vortex stretching while convecting downwards: a three-dimensional phenomenon in rotating flows. It also confirms that convection and secondary tilting and stretching effects dominate the evolution of vorticity.

Wake Behavior Around Flapping Wings of Model Hawkmoth Moving Sideways

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong-Seob Han ◽  
Jae-Hung Han
Keyword(s):  
Particle Image ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Digital Particle Image Velocimetry ◽  
Flapping Wings ◽  
Windward Side ◽  
Leeward Side ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Wake Interaction ◽  
Edge Vortex

Abstract This study investigated nearwake behaviors around flapping wings moving sideways. A dynamically scaled-up flapping manipulator was installed on a servo-driven towing carriage to give the sideways movement. In the single wing configuration, the wing in the windward side did not encounter any noticeable effects on the aerodynamic characteristics. The wing in the leeward side, on the other hand, experienced a substantial lift augmentation. We found a stretched leading-edge vortex (LEV) on the wing in the leeward side, implying the additional feeding flux into the LEV. In this case, the moving sideways gave a continuous lateral wind, which became the source to maintain the lift augmentation with the less downward component. We also found that the moving sideways rather intensified the interaction between the wake of the wing in the windward side and the contralateral wing, i.e., the wing-wake interaction. Accordingly, the lift augmentation on the wing in the leeward side practically disappeared by the wing-wake interaction. A digital particle image velocimetry for nearwake behaviors found the less developed trailing-edge shear layer and wingroot vortex traces. This implied that the massive downwash induced by the wing in the windward side was the main source to neutralize the lift augmentation on the contralateral wing.

Relationship between aerodynamic forces, flow structures and wing camber for rotating insect wing planforms

2013 ◽  
Vol 730 ◽  
pp. 52-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. R. Harbig ◽  
J. Sheridan ◽  
M. C. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Fruit Fly ◽  
Reynolds Numbers ◽  
Flow Structures ◽  
Aerodynamic Forces ◽  
Insect Wing ◽  
Deformation Parameters ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Wing Deformation ◽  
Rigid Wing

AbstractWing deformation is observed during the flight of some insect species; however, the effect of these distorted wing shapes on the leading edge vortex (LEV) is not well understood. In this study, we investigate the effect of one of these deformation parameters, (rigid) wing camber, on the flow structures and aerodynamic forces for insect-like wings, using a numerical model of an altered fruit fly wing revolving at a constant angular velocity. Both positive and negative camber was investigated at Reynolds numbers of 120 and 1500, along with the chordwise location of maximum camber. It was found that negatively cambered wings produce very similar LEV structures to non-cambered wings at both Reynolds numbers, but high positive camber resulted in the formation of multiple streamwise vortices at the higher Reynolds number, which disrupt the development of the main LEV. Despite this, positively cambered wings were found to produce higher lift to drag ratios than flat or negatively cambered wings. It was determined that a region of low pressure near the wing’s leading edge, combined with the curvature of the wing’s upper surface in this region, resulted in a vertical tilting of the net force vector for positively cambered wings, which explains how insects can benefit from wing camber.

scholarly journals The three–dimensional leading–edge vortex of a ‘hovering’ model hawkmoth

1997 ◽  
Vol 352 (1351) ◽  
pp. 329-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coen van den Berg ◽  
Charles P. Ellington
Keyword(s):  
Wing Length ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Axial Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Flow Visualisation ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Wing Chord

Recent flow visualisation experiments with the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta , revealed small but clear leading–edge vortex and a pronounced three–dimensional flow. Details of this flow pattern were studied with a scaled–up, robotic insect (‘the flapper’) that accurately mimicked the wing movements of a hovering hawkmoth. Smoke released from the leading edge of the flapper wing confirmed the existence of a small, strong and stable leading–edge vortex, increasing in size from wingbase to wingtip. Between 25 and 75 % of the wing length, its diameter increased approximately from 10 to 50 % of the wing chord. The leading–edge vortex had a strong axial flow veolocity, which stabilized it and reduced its diamater. The vortex separated from the wing at approximately 75 % of the wing length and thus fed vorticity into a large, tangled tip vortex. If the circulation of the leading–edge vortex were fully used for lift generation, it could support up to two–thirds of the hawkmoth's weight during the downstroke. The growth of this circulation with time and spanwise position clearly identify dynamic stall as the unsteady aerodynamic mechanism responsible for high lift production by hovering hawkmoths and possibly also by many other insect species.

Visualization and PIV Measurements of Leading-edge Vortex generated by Rigid Flapping Wings of Different Planforms

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parag Deshpande ◽  
Roshan Antony ◽  
Prasobh Narayanan ◽  
Anirudh Rajashesan ◽  
Deepali Singh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Leading Edge ◽  
Flapping Wings ◽  
Piv Measurements ◽  
Leading Edge Vortex ◽  
Edge Vortex

Experimental and computational studies of the aerodynamic performance of a flapping and passively rotating insect wing

2016 ◽  
Vol 791 ◽  
pp. 1-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufeng Chen ◽  
Nick Gravish ◽  
Alexis Lussier Desbiens ◽  
Ronit Malka ◽  
Robert J. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Lift Force ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Flapping Wings ◽  
Insect Wing ◽  
Wing Kinematics ◽  
Image Velocimetry ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Induced Flow

Flapping wings are important in many biological and bioinspired systems. Here, we investigate the fluid mechanics of flapping wings that possess a single flexible hinge allowing passive wing pitch rotation under load. We perform experiments on an insect-scale (${\approx}1$ cm wing span) robotic flapper and compare the results with a quasi-steady dynamical model and a coupled fluid–structure computational fluid dynamics model. In experiments we measure the time varying kinematics, lift force and two-dimensional velocity fields of the induced flow from particle image velocimetry. We find that increasing hinge stiffness leads to advanced wing pitching, which is beneficial towards lift force production. The classical quasi-steady model gives an accurate prediction of passive wing pitching if the relative phase difference between the wing stroke and the pitch kinematics,${\it\delta}$, is small. However, the quasi-steady model cannot account for the effect of${\it\delta}$on leading edge vortex (LEV) growth and lift generation. We further explore the relationships between LEV, lift force, drag force and wing kinematics through experiments and numerical simulations. We show that the wing kinematics and flapping efficiency depend on the stiffness of a passive compliant hinge. Our dual approach of running at-scale experiments and numerical simulations gives useful guidelines for choosing wing hinge stiffnesses that lead to efficient flapping.

Leading-Edge Vortices: Mechanics and Modeling

2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (1) ◽  
pp. 75-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeff D. Eldredge ◽  
Anya R. Jones
Keyword(s):  
State Of The Art ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Review Of The Literature ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Edge Vortex ◽  
Closure Conditions ◽  
Spanwise Flow

The leading-edge vortex (LEV) is known to produce transient high lift in a wide variety of circumstances. The underlying physics of LEV formation, growth, and shedding are explored for a set of canonical wing motions including wing translation, rotation, and pitching. A review of the literature reveals that, while there are many similarities in the LEV physics of these motions, the resulting force histories can be dramatically different. In two-dimensional motions (translation and pitch), the LEV sheds soon after its formation; lift drops as the LEV moves away from the wing. Wing rotation, in contrast, incites a spanwise flow that, through Coriolis tilting, balances the streamwise vorticity fluxes to produce an LEV that remains attached to much of the wing and thus sustains high lift. The state of the art of vortex-based modeling to capture both the flow field and corresponding forces of these motions is reviewed, including closure conditions at the leading edge and approaches for data-driven strategies.

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