Flapping-wing micro air vehicles are not confined to undergoing the normal-hovering motion implemented by flying insects. In this study, the water-treading motion, which originates from aquatic propulsion, is studied in terms of its feasibility as an alternative wing motion for micro air vehicles. Experimental measurements and numerical simulations have been conducted on a rigid three-dimensional flapping wing undergoing normal-hovering and water-treading motions, with the aim of identifying which motion profile is superior from a purely aerodynamic point of view. Results from the present parametric study show that the water-treading motion offers two main advantages over normal-hovering motion. Firstly, the leading-edge vortex generated by the water-treading motion tends to be more stable, resulting in higher-lift generation. Secondly, whereas normal-hovering motion enters a high-angle-of-attack high-drag configuration during stroke reversal, the water-treading motion avoids this unfavorable configuration. As a result, the water-treading motion offers superior aerodynamic performance in terms of lift generation and efficiency. Hence, it may be an attractive alternative for efficient micro-air-vehicle design.


    Access

    Access via TIB

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    Water-Treading Motion for Three-Dimensional Flapping Wings in Hover


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2017




    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



    Water-Treading Motion for Three-Dimensional Flapping Wings in Hover

    Lua, K. B. / Lee, Y. J. / Lim, T. T. | AIAA | 2017




    Approximate Aeroelastic Modeling of Flapping Wings in Hover

    Gogulapati, Abhijit / Friedmann, Peretz P. / Kheng, Eugene et al. | AIAA | 2013


    Some aeromechanical aspects of insect-like flapping wings in hover

    Żbikowski, R / Knowles, K / Pedersen, C B et al. | SAGE Publications | 2004