Experimental and numerical studies of beetle-inspired flapping wing in hovering flight

Area of Science:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Biomimetics
• Fluid Dynamics

Background:

• Understanding insect flight mechanics is crucial for developing advanced Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs).
• Beetle flight, particularly hovering, presents complex aerodynamic challenges.
• Previous studies have often simplified wing kinematics or flow conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To experimentally and numerically investigate unsteady forces and 3D vortex structures around a beetle-like flapping wing model during hovering flight.
• To validate experimental findings with numerical simulations for accurate aerodynamic analysis.
• To provide data for the design of bio-inspired MAVs.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a dynamically scaled wing model in a mineral-oil tank for force and flow pattern measurements.
• Employed air bubble visualization to capture 3D flow structures and sensors for force measurement.
• Derived wing kinematics from real beetle flight experiments.
• Performed numerical simulations to complement experimental data.

Main Results:

• Experimental and numerical studies showed good agreement in the size and topology of leading edge, trailing edge, and tip vortices.
• Time histories of forces from numerical simulations closely matched experimental measurements, with an average force difference of approximately 10%.
• Identified that leading edge vortices, generated by rotational acceleration, significantly reduce lift during flapping wing motion.

Conclusions:

• The study successfully validated experimental and numerical methods for analyzing flapping wing aerodynamics.
• Leading edge vortex formation is a key factor influencing lift generation and reduction in hovering flight.
• Findings offer valuable insights for the development of beetle-inspired flapping wing MAVs.