Flapping flight is commonly seen in nature at low Reynolds numbers. This work investigates the physical aspects of forward flight for flapping unmanned aerial systems. The kinematics discussed in this paper is based on an anticlockwise figure-8-shaped flapping cycle. The evolution of the complex, unsteady vortical flow system that develops during the flapping motion is presented. Mechanisms for generating the lift and thrust are discussed, with emphasis on the unsteadiness of the flow features during both the downstroke and upstroke phases. A one-way fluid–structure interaction has been investigated, and the relative importance of aerodynamic forces is compared with respect to the inertial forces. The inhomogeneity of the wing in terms of mass distribution is studied, and it is shown that a higher density at the wing root is beneficial in respect to the mechanical power required to achieve the forward flight. Limited benefit is observed when higher material density at the leading edge is adopted.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Aerodynamic and Structural Studies of a Flapping Wing in Forward Flight



    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2016




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English



    Classification :

    BKL:    55.50 Luftfahrzeugtechnik / 55.60 Raumfahrttechnik / 55.60 / 50.93 / 55.50 / 50.93 Weltraumforschung
    Local classification TIB:    770/7040



    Aerodynamic and Structural Studies of a Flapping Wing in Forward Flight

    Demasi, Luciano / Santarpia, Enrico / Dipace, Antonio et al. | AIAA | 2016



    An aerodynamic model for flapping-wing flight

    DeLaurier, J.D. | Online Contents | 1993


    Aerodynamic and flight dynamic parametric studies of a flapping wing

    Chetia, Tandralee / Rajaram, Dhayalan / Sreejalekshmi, Kumaran G. | Emerald Group Publishing | 2022