Micromechanical Flying Insect (MFI). Year 1 Report May 1998 - May 1999

摘要

We propose to develop a micromechanical flying insect (MFI), a 10-25 mm (wingtip-to-wingtip) device eventually capable of sustained autonomous flight. The goal of the MFI project is to use biomimetic principles to capture some of the exceptional flight performance achieved by true flies. The project is divided into four stages: 1) feasibility analysis, 2) structural fabrication, 3) aerodynamics and wing control, and 4) flight control and integration. Our design analysis shows us that piezoelectric actuators and flexible thorax structures can provide the needed power density and wing stroke, and adequate power can be supplied by solar cells. In the first year of this MURI grant, research has been concentrated in understanding fly flight aerodynamics and in analysis, design and fabrication of MFI structures.