Design of Non-Conventional Flight Control Systems for Bioinspired Micro Air Vehicles

Barroso-Barderas, Estela; Rodríguez-Sevillano, Ángel Antonio; Bardera, Rafael; Crespo-Moreno, Javier; Matías-García, Juan Carlos

doi:10.3390/drones6090248

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The primary aim of this design was to simulate bird flight for enhanced aerodynamic performance in flight (see Figure 1). The initial design of the vehicle had an overall length of l = 0.30 m, a wingspan of b w = 0.32 m, and a low-aspect-ratio of LAR w = 2.50 [23,24]. The rest of the geometric characteristics of the base model are presented in Table 1.…”

Section: Base Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These five configurations are the result of a previous numerical parametric study [22], in which the influence of the most relevant tail geometric parameters was analyzed (their characteristics are presented in Section 2.2). In this numerical analysis [23], the Horizontal-Square-Fan-Shaped stabilizer (HSF-tail) provided the highest aerodynamic performance in terms of maximum aerodynamic efficiency during the cruise phase as well as maintaining high longitudinal stability on the vehicle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Wind Tunnel Balance Measurements of Bioinspired Tails for a Fixed Wing MAV

Bardera,

Rodríguez-Sevillano,

Barroso

et al. 2024

Drones

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bird tails play a significant role in aerodynamics and stability during flight. This paper investigates the use of bioinspired horizontal stabilizers for Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) with Zimmerman wing-body geometry. Five configurations of bioinspired horizontal stabilizers are presented. Then, 3-component external balance force measurements of each horizontal stabilizer are performed in the wind tunnel. The Squared-Fan-Shaped Horizontal Stabilizer (HSF-tail) is selected as the optimal horizontal stabilizer that provides the highest aerodynamic efficiency during cruise flight while maintaining high longitudinal stability on the vehicle. The integration of the HSF-tail increases the aerodynamic efficiency by more than 6% up to a maximum of 17% compared to the other alternatives while maintaining the lowest aerodynamic drag value during the cruise phase. Furthermore, balance measurements to analyze the influence of the HSF-tail deflection on the aerodynamic coefficients are conducted, resulting in increased lift force and reduced aerodynamic drag with negative tail deflections. Lastly, the experimental data is validated with CFD-RANS steady simulations for low angles of attack, obtaining a relative difference on the measurement around 5% for the aerodynamic drag coefficient and around 10% for the lift coefficient during the cruise flight that demonstrates a high degree of accuracy in the aerodynamic coefficients obtained by external balance in the wind tunnel. This work represents a novel approach through the implementation of a horizontal stabilizer inspired by the structure of the tails of birds that is expected to yield significant advancements in both stability and aerodynamic efficiency, with the potential to revolutionize MAV technology.

show abstract

Section: Base Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wind Tunnel Balance Measurements of Bioinspired Tails for a Fixed Wing MAV

Bardera,

Rodríguez-Sevillano,

Barroso

et al. 2024

Drones

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In recent years, the field has witnessed a surge in bio-inspired aircraft that emulate the flight mechanics of animals; these have emerged as a captivating avenue within aviation technologies [6,7]. These bio-inspired developments, specifically applied to UAVs, constitute a critical facet in the ongoing pursuit to enhance vehicle performances by elevating aerodynamic efficiency while concurrently reducing weight, emissions, and operational costs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Bardera,

Rodríguez-Sevillano,

Barroso Barderas

et al. 2023

Biomimetics

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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.

show abstract

“…Currently, MAVs can be classified into three categories [13], Rotary-wing Micro Air Vehicle (RMAV), Fixed-wing Micro Air Vehicle (FMAV) and Flapping-wing Micro Air Vehicle (also called biomimetic vehicle, BMAV), according to their aerodynamic and flight characteristics. As this work is focused on a Fixed-wing MAV with a Zimmerman wing [14][15][16], only the second group is reviewed. The benefits of using the Zimmerman wing were investigated by Chen et al in [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Analysis of Bioinspired Tails in a Fixed-Wing Micro Air Vehicle

Barroso Barderas,

Bardera Mora,

Rodriguez-Sevillano

et al. 2023

Aerospace

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bird tails play a key role in aerodynamics and flight stability. They produce extra lift for takeoff and landing maneuvers, enhance wing functions and maintain stability during flight (keeping the bird from yawing, rolling and pitching, or otherwise losing control). This paper investigates the use of bioinspired horizontal stabilizers for Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) involving a Zimmerman wing-body geometry. A selection of five tail shapes of the main types existing in nature is presented, and a parametric analysis is conducted looking into the influence of the most relevant tail geometric parameters to increase the longitudinal static stability of the vehicle. Based on the parametric study, a smaller subset of candidate tail designs are shortlisted to perform a detailed aerodynamic analysis. Then, steady RANS CFD simulations are conducted for a higher-fidelity study of these candidate tail designs to obtain an optimum of each tail type. The criterion for selection of the optimum tail configuration is the maximum aerodynamic efficiency, CLCD , as well as a high longitudinal static stability. The squared-fan tail provides the highest aerodynamic efficiency while maintaining a high longitudinal stability of the vehicle. In conclusion, this paper provides an innovative study of improving longitudinal stability and aerodynamics through the implementation of bioinspired horizontal stabilizers in vehicles with these characteristics.

show abstract

Design of Non-Conventional Flight Control Systems for Bioinspired Micro Air Vehicles

Cited by 7 publications

References 12 publications

Wind Tunnel Balance Measurements of Bioinspired Tails for a Fixed Wing MAV

Wind Tunnel Balance Measurements of Bioinspired Tails for a Fixed Wing MAV

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

Numerical Analysis of Bioinspired Tails in a Fixed-Wing Micro Air Vehicle

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About