The thrust and/or propulsive efficiency of a single flapping airfoil is maximized by using a numerical optimization method based on the steepest ascent. The flapping motion of the airfoil is described by a combined sinusoidal plunge and pitching motion. Optimization parameters an taken to be the amplitudes or the plunge and pitching motions and the phase shift between them at a fixed flapping frequency. Two-dimensional, unsteady, low-speed, laminar, and turbulent flows an computed by using a Navier-Stokes solver on moving overset grids. Computations an performed in parallel in a computer cluster. The optimization data show that high thrust values may be obtained at the expense of propulsive efficiency. For a high propulsive efficiency, the effective angle of attack of the airfoil is reduced, and large-scale vortex formations at the leading edge an prevented.


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    Title :

    Optimization of flapping airfoils for maximum thrust and propulsive efficiency


    Additional title:

    Optimierung des Flügelschlags eines Mikroflugzeugs bezüglich Schub und Wirkungsgrad


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    AIAA Journal ; 43 , 11 ; 2329-2336


    Publication date :

    2005


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 15 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 20 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English