Aerodynamic performance of a flyable flapping wing rotor with dragonfly-like flexible wings

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dc.contributor.authorPan, Yingjun
dc.contributor.authorGuo, Shijun
dc.contributor.authorWhidborne, James F.
dc.contributor.authorHuang, Xun
dc.date.accessioned2024-04-08T13:17:22Z
dc.date.available2024-04-08T13:17:22Z
dc.date.issued2024-03-29
dc.description.abstractDrawing inspiration from insect flapping wings, a Flapping Wing Rotor (FWR) has been developed for Micro Aerial Vehicle (MAV) applications. The FWR features unique active flapping and passive rotary kinematics of motion to achieve a high lift coefficient and flight efficiency. This study thoroughly investigates the aerodynamic performance and design of a bio-inspired flexible wing for FWR-MAVs, emphasizing its novel backward-curved wingtip and variable spanwise stiffness resembling a dragonfly's wing. The research departs from previous aerodynamic studies of FWR, which focused predominantly on rectangular and rigid wings, and delves into wing flexibility. Employing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Computational Structural Dynamics (CSD), and experimental measurements, the study demonstrates the aerodynamic benefits of the dragonfly-inspired FWR wingtip shape and its reinforced structure. Fluid-Structure Interaction (FSI) analysis is used to examine the effects of elastic deformation encompassing twist and bending on aerodynamic forces. The results underscore the importance of bending deformation in enhancing lift and power efficiency and propose a method for analysing variable stiffness along the wingspan using a vortex delay mechanism that is induced by delayed flapping motion. By comparing modelled and measured stiffness, the study validates the flexibility of the FWR wing, revealing optimal aerodynamic efficiency is achieved through moderate flexibility and spanwise stiffness variation. The curving leading-edge beam forming the sweep-back wingtip offers a practical approach to obtaining variable stiffness and aerodynamic benefits for FWR-MAVs. Using the same pair of dragonfly-like flexible wings, FWR-MAVs have effectively exhibited VTOL and hovering flight capabilities, spanning from a 25-g single-motor drive model to a 51-g dual-motor drive model. This research provides valuable insights into flexible wing design for FWR-MAVs, leveraging biomimicry to improve flight efficiency.en_UK
dc.identifier.citationPan Y, Guo S, Whidborne J, Huang X. (2024) Aerodynamic performance of a flyable flapping wing rotor with dragonfly-like flexible wings. Aerospace Science and Technology, Volume 148, May 2024, Article number 109090en_UK
dc.identifier.issn1270-9638
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.ast.2024.109090
dc.identifier.urihttps://dspace.lib.cranfield.ac.uk/handle/1826/21148
dc.language.isoen_UKen_UK
dc.publisherElsevieren_UK
dc.rightsAttribution 4.0 International*
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/*
dc.subjectFlapping wing rotoren_UK
dc.subjectFlexible wingen_UK
dc.subjectFluid-structure interactionen_UK
dc.subjectMicro aerial vehicleen_UK
dc.titleAerodynamic performance of a flyable flapping wing rotor with dragonfly-like flexible wingsen_UK
dc.typeArticleen_UK
dcterms.dateAccepted2024-03-20

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