Design, Analysis and Fabrication of RC Operated Flapping Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle Mimicking Natural Flyers

摘要

Flapping-wing MAVs (Micro Aerial Vehicles) outnumber conventional MAVs in a range of capabilities including high maneuverability & hovering capability against fixed-wing vehicles and high forward velocity, less noise generation & highly energy efficiency in comparison to rotary-wing vehicles. Therefore, these MAVs find their interest in the field of reconnaissance and surveillance of indoor and outdoor strategic enemy areas in a camouflaged manner. This research aims at design, analysis and fabrication of flapping-wing MAV mimicking natural flyers. It includes parameterization, wing design, fuselage design, drive mechanism design, RC transmission selection and fabrication process. The MAV developed during this research has a wingspan of 35 cm and weighs 39 grams. The drive mechanism is one degree of freedom (DoF) battery-powered four-bar linkage crank-rocker gear mechanism to meet thrust requirements. Numerical and analytical comparison of kinematic analysis of the designed crank rocker mechanism is also a part of this research. The drive mechanism is actuated by a microcontroller operated AP05 3000kv Brushless DC motor. The drive mechanism provides a flapping amplitude of 72° at a frequency of 17 Hz. Prototype of the designed MAV comprises of 3-D printed drive mechanism, balsa wood fuselage, light weight actuation mechanism and RC receiver to minimize weight of the vehicle.