Flow Visualization around a Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle in Free Flight Using Large-Scale PIV

Del Estal Herrero, A.; Perçin, M.; Karasek, M.; van Oudheusden, B.W.

doi:10.3390/aerospace5040099

Flow Visualization around a Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle in Free Flight Using Large-Scale PIV

Title

Flow Visualization around a Flapping-Wing Micro Air Vehicle in Free Flight Using Large-Scale PIV

Author

Del Estal Herrero, A. (TU Delft Aerodynamics)
Perçin, M. (TU Delft Aerodynamics; Middle East Technical University)
Karasek, M. (TU Delft Control & Simulation)
van Oudheusden, B.W. (TU Delft Aerodynamics)

Date

2018-09-20

Abstract

Flow visualizations have been performed on a free flying, flapping-wing micro air vehicle (MAV), using a large-scale particle image velocimetry (PIV) approach. The PIV method involves the use of helium-filled soap bubbles (HFSB) as tracer particles. HFSB scatter light with much higher intensity than regular seeding particles, comparable to that reflected off the flexible flapping wings. This enables flow field visualization to be achieved close to the flapping wings, in contrast to previous PIV experiments with regular seeding. Unlike previous tethered wind tunnel measurements, in which the vehicle is fixed relative to the measurement setup, the MAV is now flown through the measurement area. In this way, the experiment captures the flow field of the MAV in free flight, allowing the true nature of the flow representative of actual flight to be appreciated. Measurements were performed for two different orientations of the light sheet with respect to the flight direction. In the first configuration, the light sheet is parallel to the flight direction, and visualizes a streamwise plane that intersects the MAV wings at a specific spanwise position. In the second configuration, the illumination plane is normal to the flight direction, and visualizes the flow as the MAV passes through the light sheet

Subject

micro air vehicle
flapping-wing MAV
free flight flow visualization
particle image velocimetry
helium filled soap bubbles
OA-Fund TU Delft

To reference this document use:

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:9b9f341e-8bf2-4b40-b456-2067009c1544

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace5040099

ISSN

2226-4310

Source

Aerospace, 5 (4)

Part of collection

Institutional Repository