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Can the ground enhance vertical force for inclined stroke plane flapping wing?
S Deepthi1, S Vengadesan1,2
1Department of Applied Mechanics, IITM, Chennai, 600036, India.
Bioinspiration & Biomimetics
|November 26, 2020
Summary
Investigating insect wing motion near the ground reveals how inclined flapping generates lift. Dipole jet patterns effectively assess vertical force for micro aerial vehicles (MAVs).
Area of Science:
- Fluid dynamics
- Aerodynamics
- Bio-inspired engineering
Background:
- Insect wing flapping generates lift through complex aerodynamic interactions.
- Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing novel micro aerial vehicles (MAVs).
- The influence of proximity to a surface on flapping wing aerodynamics is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To numerically investigate the 2D kinematics of insect wings in an inclined stroke plane near the ground.
- To analyze the effects of vortex shedding and dipole jet formation on vertical force generation.
- To explore the potential of dipole jet patterns as a lift modification mechanism for MAVs.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an immersed boundary solver for numerical simulation of flapping wing aerodynamics.
- Analyzed instantaneous force and vorticity contours to understand lift enhancement mechanisms.
- Investigated wake-ground interactions and shear layer dynamics at various heights.
Main Results:
- Identified specific lift enhancement mechanisms associated with inclined stroke plane flapping near the ground.
- Observed distinct vertical force trends and dipole jet patterns at different ground proximity heights.
- Dipole jet patterns proved effective in assessing kinematics for vertical force modulation, particularly at intermediate heights.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive understanding of inclined flapping kinematics near a ground surface.
- Dipole jet patterns offer a promising approach for lift modification in micro aerial vehicle (MAV) design.
- Findings serve as a foundational basis for the aerodynamic design of MAVs.
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