Computational Study of Aerodynamic Effects of the Dihedral and Angle of Attack of Biomimetic Grids Installed on a Mini UAV

Abstract

In this paper, a numerical analysis of a biomimetic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is presented. Its wings feature three grids at the tip similar to the primary feathers of birds in order to modify the lift distribution over the wing and help in reducing the induced drag. Numerical analysis using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is presented to analyze the aerodynamic effects of the changes in dihedral and angle of attack (with respect of the rest of the wing) of these small grids at the tip. The aerodynamic performances (lift, drag, and efficiency) and rolling capabilities are obtained under different flight conditions. The effects of changing the dihedral are small. However, the change in the grid angle of attack increases aerodynamic efficiency by up to 2.5 times when the UAV is under cruise flight conditions. Changes to the angle of attack of the grids also provide increased capabilities for rolling. Finally, boundary values of the pressure coefficient and non-dimensional velocity contours are presented on the surfaces of the UAV, in order to relate the aerodynamic results to the aerodynamic patterns observed over the wing.

Aerodynamic/Hydrodynamic Investigation of Water Cross-Over for a Bionic Unmanned Aquatic–Aerial Amphibious Vehicle

“…In the wake of developments in aircraft design and bionic mechanical science, bionic unmanned aquatic–aerial amphibious vehicles (bionic UAAVs) with variant configurations have gradually become one of the research hotspots [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Based on vehicle morphology and motion control ideas of natural organisms, the bionic UAAV can imitate their biological characteristics and configurations, which adapt to excellent amphibious survival characteristics in water and air.…”