Determination of trim curves for a flapping-wing MAV

This paper presents the results of a series of flight tests conducted in order to assess the steady-state flight characteristics and basic control behaviour of the DelFly, a flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV). Flights were conducted in an indoor motion tracking facility and included steady-level flight at a range of different velocities...

Determination of trim curves for a flapping-wing MAV

This paper presents the results of a series of flight tests conducted in order to assess the steady-state flight characteristics and basic control behaviour of the DelFly, a flapping-wing micro aerial vehicle (FWMAV). Flights were conducted in an indoor motion tracking facility and included steady-level flight at a range of different velocities...

Wing flexibility effects in clap-and-fling

The work explores the use of time-resolved tomographic PIV measurements to study a flapping-wing model, the related vortex generation mechanisms and the effect of wing flexibility on the clap-and-fling movement in particular. An experimental setup is designed and realized in a water tank by use of a single wing model and a mirror plate to...

Aerodynamic analysis of the wing flexibility and the clap-and-peel motion of the hovering DelFly II

In this paper, the influence of wing flexibility and the 'clap-and-peel' motion (one versus two wings) on the upward (lifting) force in hover is studied. CFD simulations based on the ALE Navier-Stokes equations together with radial basis function mesh interpolation are used. For the 'clap-and-peel' motion an immersed symmetry plane is introduced...

Vortex-lift modeling provides reliable force predictions for flapping-wing Micro Air Vehicles

Vertical and horizontal force of a flapping-wing micro air vehicle (MAV) has been measured in slow-speed forward flight using a force balance. Detailed information on kinematics was used to estimate forces using a blade-element analysis. Input variables for this analysis are lift and drag coefficients. These coefficients are usually derived from...

Wing flexibility effects in clap-and-fling

The work explores the use of time-resolved tomographic PIV measurements to study a flapping-wing model, the related vortex generation mechanisms and the effect of wing flexibility on the clap-and-fling movement in particular. An experimental setup is designed and realized in a water tank by use of a single wing model and a mirror plate to...

Aerodynamic analysis of the wing ?exibility and the clap-and-peel motion of the hovering DelFly II

In this paper, the influence of wing flexibility and the 'clap-and-peel' motion (one versus two wings) on the upward (lifting) force in hover is studied. CFD simulations based on the ALE Navier-Stokes equations together with radial basis function mesh interpolation are used. For the 'clap-and-peel' motion an immersed symmetry plane is introduced...

Analysis of tail effects in flapping flight

Numerical simulations have been performed to examine the interference effects between an upstream flapping airfoil and a downstream stationary airfoil in a tandem configuration at a Reynolds number of 1000, which is around the regime of small flapping micro aerial vehicles. The objective is to investigate the effect of the distance of the tail...

Analysis of tail effects in flapping flight

Numerical simulations have been performed to examine the interference effects between an upstream flapping airfoil and a downstream stationary airfoil in a tandem configuration at a Reynolds number of 1000, which is around the regime of small flapping micro aerial vehicles. The objective is to investigate the effect of the distance of the tail...