Experimental Investigation of Pitch Control Enhancement to the Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle

摘要

The mechanical pitching characteristic of the NPS flapping-wing Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) developed by Professor Kevin D. Jones are studied experimentally through the use of constant temperature anemometry and force balance techniques. The MAV without the main fixed-wing is placed in a laminar flow field within a low speed wind tunnel with the wake after the flapping wings characterized with a constant temperature anemometer and thrust generation measured by a load cell at various neutral angles, flapping frequencies and free stream velocities. The experiments seek to determine the effects on the MAV propulsion when the neutral angle of attack of the flapping wings is varied. Flow visualization is also performed to better enhance understanding of the flow field across the pitched flapping wings.