Insects’ wing shape comparison of bio-inspired air vehicles for hovering flight applications

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mostafa Hassanalian ◽  
Glen Throneberry ◽  
Abdessattar Abdelkefi
Keyword(s):  
Wing Shape ◽  
Hovering Flight ◽  
Shape Comparison ◽  
Air Vehicles

scholarly journals Insights into Sensitivity of Wing Shape and Kinematic Parameters Relative to Aerodynamic Performance of Flapping Wing Nano Air Vehicles

Drones ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 49 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Throneberry ◽  
M. Hassanalian ◽  
A. Abdelkefi
Keyword(s):  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Flapping Wing ◽  
Wing Shape ◽  
Physical Factors ◽  
Kinematic Parameters ◽  
Aerodynamic Forces ◽  
Hovering Flight ◽  
Time Histories ◽  
Air Vehicles

In this work, seven wings inspired from insects’ wings, including those inspired by the bumblebee, cicada, cranefly, fruitfly, hawkmoth, honeybee, and twisted parasite, are patterned and analyzed in FlapSim software in forward and hovering flight modes for two scenarios, namely, similar wingspan (20 cm) and wing surface (0.005 m2). Considering their similar kinematics, the time histories of the aerodynamic forces of lift, thrust, and required mechanical power of the inspired wings are calculated, shown, and compared for both scenarios. The results obtained from FlapSim show that wing shape strongly impacts the performance and aerodynamic characteristics of the chosen seven wings. To study the effects of different geometrical and physical factors including flapping frequency, elevation amplitude, pronation amplitude, stroke-plane angle, flight speed, wing material, and wingspan, several analyses are carried out on the honeybee-inspired shape, which had a 20 cm wingspan. This study can be used to evaluate the efficiency of different bio-inspired wing shapes and may provide a guideline for comparing the performance of flapping wing nano air vehicles with forward flight and hovering capabilities.

Evolutionary shape optimisation enhances the lift coefficient of rotating wing geometries

2019 ◽  
Vol 868 ◽  
pp. 369-384 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shantanu S. Bhat ◽  
Jisheng Zhao ◽  
John Sheridan ◽  
Kerry Hourigan ◽  
Mark C. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Lift Coefficient ◽  
Micro Air Vehicles ◽  
Aerodynamic Performance ◽  
Wing Shape ◽  
Shape Optimisation ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Aerodynamic Pressure ◽  
Performance Requirements ◽  
Air Vehicles

Wing shape is an important factor affecting the aerodynamic performance of wings of monocopters and flapping-wing micro air vehicles. Here, an evolutionary structural optimisation method is adapted to optimise wing shape to enhance the lift force due to aerodynamic pressure on the wing surfaces. The pressure distribution is observed to vary with the span-based Reynolds number over a range covering most insects and samaras. Accordingly, the optimised wing shapes derived using this evolutionary approach are shown to adjust with Reynolds number. Moreover, these optimised shapes exhibit significantly higher lift coefficients (${\sim}50\,\%$) than the initial rectangular wing forebear. Interestingly, the optimised shapes are found to have a large area outboard, broadly in line with the features of high-lift forewings of multi-winged insects. According to specific aerodynamic performance requirements, this novel method could be employed in the optimisation of improved wing shapes for micro air vehicles.

scholarly journals A Review of Research on the Mechanical Design of Hoverable Flapping Wing Micro-Air Vehicles

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengjie Xiao ◽  
Kai Hu ◽  
Binxiao Huang ◽  
Huichao Deng ◽  
Xilun Ding
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Micro Air Vehicles ◽  
Flapping Wing ◽  
Development Prospect ◽  
Flight Performance ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Hovering Flight ◽  
Driving Mechanisms ◽  
Passive Deformation ◽  
Air Vehicles

AbstractMost insects and hummingbirds can generate lift during both upstroke and downstroke with a nearly horizontal flapping stroke plane, and perform precise hovering flight. Further, most birds can utilize tails and muscles in wings to actively control the flight performance, while insects control their flight with muscles based on wing root along with wing’s passive deformation. Based on the above flight principles of birds and insects, Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles (FWMAVs) are classified as either bird-inspired or insect-inspired FWMAVs. In this review, the research achievements on mechanisms of insect-inspired, hoverable FWMAVs over the last ten years (2011–2020) are provided. We also provide the definition, function, research status and development prospect of hoverable FWMAVs. Then discuss it from three aspects: bio-inspiration, motor-driving mechanisms and intelligent actuator-driving mechanisms. Following this, research groups involved in insect-inspired, hoverable FWMAV research and their major achievements are summarized and classified in tables. Problems, trends and challenges about the mechanism are compiled and presented. Finally, this paper presents conclusions about research on mechanical structure, and the future is discussed to enable further research interests.

Wing shape and dynamic twist design of bio-inspired nano air vehicles for forward flight purposes

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 ◽  
pp. 518-529 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Hassanalian ◽  
G. Throneberry ◽  
A. Abdelkefi
Keyword(s):  
Wing Shape ◽  
Forward Flight ◽  
Air Vehicles

OPTIMIZATION OF THE WING SHAPE IN THE WING-BODY SYSTEM AT HYPERSONIC FLOW

2009 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-165
Author(s):  
S. D. Zhivotov ◽  
V. S. Nikolaev
Keyword(s):  
Hypersonic Flow ◽  
Wing Shape ◽  
Body System

Pose observers for Unmanned Air Vehicles

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Bras ◽  
J. F. Vasconcelos ◽  
C. Silvestre ◽  
P. Oliveira
Keyword(s):  
Unmanned Air Vehicles ◽  
Air Vehicles
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