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A bio-inspired study on tidal energy extraction with flexible flapping wings.
Wendi Liu1, Qing Xiao, Fai Cheng
1Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, G4 0LZ, UK.
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
|August 29, 2013
Summary
Flexible flapping wings significantly boost power efficiency in energy devices compared to rigid wings. This enhancement is particularly notable at low angles of attack and with twin-wing configurations, offering attractive solutions for semi-actuated systems.
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Renewable energy technologies
- Bio-inspired engineering
Background:
- Flexible flapping wings improve propulsion over rigid designs.
- The impact of flexibility on power efficiency in flapping wing energy devices is not well understood.
- Computational modeling is crucial for studying hydrodynamic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of flexible wing deformation in the hydrodynamics of flapping wing energy devices.
- To computationally model two-dimensional flexible single and twin flapping wings for energy extraction.
- To analyze the influence of predetermined flexibility and local distortions on power efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Computational modeling of 2D flexible single and twin flapping wings.
- Simulations conducted at a high Reynolds number (10^6) under energy extraction conditions.
- Investigation of four models with predetermined flexibility and local edge distortions.
Main Results:
- Flexible wing structures enhance power efficiency by increasing lift force peaks and optimizing the force-velocity phase shift.
- The positive impact of flexibility on efficiency is more pronounced at lower nominal effective angles of attack (AoA).
- A flexible integrated wing showed 7.68% higher efficiency than a rigid wing at 10° AoA, with potential for sixfold increase at 0° AoA.
Conclusions:
- Wing flexibility is a key factor in improving the power efficiency of flapping wing energy devices.
- Optimizing AoA and employing twin-wing configurations can further maximize energy generation.
- These findings are highly relevant for the development of semi-actuated flapping energy systems.
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