Bio-mimetic Millimeter-scale Flapping Wings for Micro Air Vehicles, Year II

摘要

The focus of this Year II Director's Research Initiative resulted in design improvements and extended experimental capability for the next design iteration of millimeter-scale flapping wings. Three different design approaches intended to produce significant pitching motion through a flap stroke are outlined while providing a more detailed description of the design methodology for one technique employing two orthogonally mounted bending actuators. Two possible approaches to designing a balance that will allow for unobtrusive measurements of the wing force production demonstrate the necessary sensitivity. A described meso-fabrication setup will reduce design cycle time. Finally, a nearly capable Reynolds number scaled testing facility, which will assist in future designs and experimental assessment, is briefly described.