Experimental study of a bio-inspired flapping wing MAV by means of force and PIV measurements

摘要

This study explores the aerodynamic performance of an X-Wing bio-inspired flapping wing micro air vehicle (MAV) underlying clap-and-fling motion by means of force and flow field measurements. Wind tunnel tests were first conducted to identify the operation region of current flapping wing MAV. The effects of flapping frequency and wing flexibility on force generation and power loading were evaluated using a miniature six-component force transducer. Flow visualization in the chordwise wake of the flapping wings is measured by means of phase-lock particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurement, results revealed the shedding behavior of the vertical structures by the wings during clap-and-fling motion showed a momentum surplus. Additionally, the in-ground-effect (IGE) is also examined aiming to understand the aerodynamic characteristics during take-off and landing of flapping wing MAV. (C) 2019 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.