Ornithopter Type Flapping Wings for Autonomous Micro Air Vehicles

Abstract

In this paper, an ornithopter prototype that mimics the flapping motion of bird flight is developed, and the lift and thrust generation characteristics of different wing designs are evaluated. This project focused on the spar arrangement and material used for the wings that could achieves improved performance. Various lift and thrust measurement techniques are explored and evaluated. Various wings of insects and birds were evaluated to understand how these natural flyers with flapping wings are able to produce sufficient lift to fly. The differences in the flapping aerodynamics were also detailed. Experiments on different wing designs and materials were conducted and a paramount wing was built for a test flight. The first prototype has a length of 46.5 cm, wing span of 88 cm, and weighs 161 g. A mechanism which produced a flapping motion was fabricated and designed to create flapping flight. The flapping flight was produced by using a single motor and a flexible and light wing structure. A force balance made of load cell was then designed to measure the thrust and lift force of the ornithopter. Three sets of wings varying flexibility were fabricated, therefore lift and thrust measurements were acquired from each different set of wings. The lift will be measured in ten cycles computing the average lift and frequency in three different speeds or frequencies (slow, medium and fast). The thrust measurement was measure likewise but in two cycles only. Several observations were made regarding the behavior of flexible flapping wings that should aid in the design of future flexible flapping wing vehicles. The wings angle or phase characteristic were analyze too and studied.

Insights into Sensitivity of Wing Shape and Kinematic Parameters Relative to Aerodynamic Performance of Flapping Wing Nano Air Vehicles

“…The effect of frequency on the lift is almost linear when compared to the thrust and power. The obtained results are qualitatively similar to those of previous studies carried out by Djojodihardjo and Ramli [55], Srigrarom and Chan [56], and Mueller et al [57]. Similarly, Figure 10a-d show that an increase in the elevation angle (flapping angle) generates an increase in the four parameters, normal and axial loads, mechanical power, and tip speed.…”

Review on Bio-Mimitic Robotic Bird

“…Modified slider crank mechanism. Firstly, graph is plotted thrust of each wing design against the time at single flapping frequency [12].…”

Modeling and Closed Loop Flight Testing of a Fixed Wing Micro Air Vehicle

“…MAV can be deployed in confined air spaces where it is arduous for bigger UAV (unmanned air vehicle) to operate. The three categories of MAVs are the fixed wing, flapping wing and rotary wing [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Among the three types of MAVs, fixed wing MAVs have higher flight velocity and longer endurance when compared to flapping wing and rotary wing counterparts.…”