Bird Metabolism During Flight: Evaluation of a Theory

1973 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 689-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
VANCE A. TUCKER

1. Pennycuick's (1969) theory for the energetic requirements of avian flight predicts the metabolic rates of budgerigars and laughing gulls flying level at intermediate speeds in a wind tunnel with an accuracy of 10% or better. However, its predictions appear to be low for most birds with masses less than 0·1 kg and high for most birds with masses greater than 0·5 kg. 2. Four modifications are made to Pennycuick's theory: (1) a different computation of induced power; (2) a different estimate of equivalent flat plate area that includes Reynolds number effects, and is based on additional measurements; (3) a different estimate of profile power that includes Reynolds number effects; and (4) the addition of power terms for respiration and circulation. These modifications improve the agreement between the theoretical predictions and existing measurements for flying birds and bats. 3. The metabolic rates of birds and bats in level flight at various speeds can be estimated by the modified theory if body mass alone is measured. Improved estimates can be made if wing span is measured as well. In the latter case the theory predicts measured values with a mean absolute error of 8·3%. 4. The results of the modified theory are presented by approximate equations that can be solved quickly for metabolic rate and flight speed with a slide rule.

2014 ◽  
Vol 754 ◽  
pp. 232-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marius Ungarish ◽  
Catherine A. Mériaux ◽  
Cathy B. Kurz-Besson

AbstractWe investigate the motion of high-Reynolds-number gravity currents (GCs) in a horizontal channel of V-shaped cross-section combining lock-exchange experiments and a theoretical model. While all previously published experiments in V-shaped channels were performed with the special configuration of the full-depth lock, we present the first part-depth experiment results. A fixed volume of saline, that was initially of length $\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}x_0$ and height $h_0$ in a lock and embedded in water of height $H_0$ in a long tank, was released from rest and the propagation was recorded over a distance of typically $ 30 x_0$. In all of the tested cases the current displays a slumping stage of constant speed $u_N$ over a significant distance $x_S$, followed by a self-similar stage up to the distance $x_V$, where transition to the viscous regime occurs. The new data and insights of this study elucidate the influence of the height ratio $H = H_0/h_0$ and of the initial Reynolds number ${\mathit{Re}}_0 = (g^{\prime }h_0)^{{{1/2}}} h_0/ \nu $, on the motion of the triangular GC; $g^{\prime }$ and $\nu $ are the reduced gravity and kinematic viscosity coefficient, respectively. We demonstrate that the speed of propagation $u_N$ scaled with $(g^{\prime } h_0)^{{{1/2}}}$ increases with $H$, while $x_S$ decreases with $H$, and $x_V \sim [{\mathit{Re}}_0(h_0/x_0)]^{{4/9}}$. The initial propagation in the triangle is 50 % more rapid than in a standard flat-bottom channel under similar conditions. Comparisons with theoretical predictions show good qualitative agreements and fair quantitative agreement; the major discrepancy is an overpredicted $u_N$, similar to that observed in the standard flat bottom case.


AIAA Journal ◽  
1977 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 1152-1158 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. C. Horstman ◽  
G. S. Settles ◽  
I. E. Vas ◽  
S. M. Bogdonoff ◽  
C.M. Hung

PAMM ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 489-490
Author(s):  
Davide Modesti ◽  
Matteo Bernardini ◽  
Sergio Pirozzoli

1998 ◽  
Vol 360 ◽  
pp. 41-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. ANDERSON ◽  
K. STREITLIEN ◽  
D. S. BARRETT ◽  
M. S. TRIANTAFYLLOU

Thrust-producing harmonically oscillating foils are studied through force and power measurements, as well as visualization data, to classify the principal characteristics of the flow around and in the wake of the foil. Visualization data are obtained using digital particle image velocimetry at Reynolds number 1100, and force and power data are measured at Reynolds number 40 000. The experimental results are compared with theoretical predictions of linear and nonlinear inviscid theory and it is found that agreement between theory and experiment is good over a certain parametric range, when the wake consists of an array of alternating vortices and either very weak or no leading-edge vortices form. High propulsive efficiency, as high as 87%, is measured experimentally under conditions of optimal wake formation. Visualization results elucidate the basic mechanisms involved and show that conditions of high efficiency are associated with the formation on alternating sides of the foil of a moderately strong leading-edge vortex per half-cycle, which is convected downstream and interacts with trailing-edge vorticity, resulting eventually in the formation of a reverse Kármán street. The phase angle between transverse oscillation and angular motion is the critical parameter affecting the interaction of leading-edge and trailing-edge vorticity, as well as the efficiency of propulsion.


AIAA Journal ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 1016-1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. G. Mateer ◽  
J. R. Viegas

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