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The leading-edge vortex and aerodynamics of insect-based flapping-wing micro air vehicles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

P. C. Wilkins  and
K. Knowles
P. C. Wilkins
Affiliation:
pwilkins@dstl.gov.uk, Air and Weapons Systems Department, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Farnborough, UK
K. Knowles
Affiliation:
k.knowles@cranfield.ac.uk, Aeromechanical Systems Group, Cranfield University, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Shrivenham, UK
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Abstract

The aerodynamics of insect-like flapping are dominated by the production of a large, stable, and lift-enhancing leading-edge vortex (LEV) above the wing. In this paper the phenomenology behind the LEV is explored, the reasons for its stability are investigated, and the effects on the LEV of changing Reynolds number or angle-of-attack are studied. A predominantly-computational method has been used, validated against both existing and new experimental data. It is concluded that the LEV is stable over the entire range of Reynolds numbers investigated here and that changes in angle-of-attack do not affect the LEV’s stability. The primary motivation of the current work is to ascertain whether insect-like flapping can be successfully ‘scaled up’ to produce a flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FMAV) and the results presented here suggest that this should be the case.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 113 , Issue 1142 , April 2009 , pp. 253 - 262
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2009 

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