Insectlike Flapping Wings in the Hover Part II: Effect of Wing Geometry

Abstract

The aerodynamic design of a flapping-wing micro air vehicle requires a careful study of the wing design space to ascertainthebestcombinationofparameters.Anonlinearunsteadyaerodynamic modeldevelopedbytheauthorsis used to make such a study for hovering insectlike flapping wings. The work is characterized, in particular, by the insights it provides into flapping-wing flows and the use of these insights for aerodynamic design. The effects of wing geometry on the aerodynamic performance of such flapping wings are investigated by comparing the influence on a numberofsyntheticplanformshapeswhilevaryingonlyoneparameteratatime.Bestperformanceappearstobefor wingshapesthathavenearlystraight leadingedges andmoreareaoutboard,where flowvelocities arehigher.Other important trends are also identified and practical considerations are noted. When possible, comparisons are also drawn with quasi-steady expectations and discrepancies are explained.