The mechanization of flapping-wing flight is addressed. A tethered moth's flapping wings are simulated using an unsteady aerodynamic panel method and accounts for wing flexibility using a finite element model. The resultant simulation code delineates both the aerodynamic and inertial forces acting on flapping, flexible wings undergoing arbitrary motion in the presence of large-scale vortices and establishes the importance of including the wake in the unsteady analysis of flapping flexible wings. A switching pattern is discovered where the magnitude and direction of the aerodynamic forces are decoupled, thereby pointing to a means whereby control is achieved. Overall, important groundwork necessary for the establishment of the principles of flapping-wing flight is laid, leading to the development of a highly agile, alternative flight technology.


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    Title :

    Simulating moth wing aerodynamics: Towards the development of flapping-wing technology


    Additional title:

    Die Simulation der Aerodynamik von Mottenflügeln, ein Beitrag zur Entwicklung der Schwingenflugzeug-Technik


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    AIAA Journal ; 34 , 7 ; 1348-1355


    Publication date :

    1996


    Size :

    8 Seiten, 8 Bilder, 2 Tabellen, 27 Quellen




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Print


    Language :

    English