Design and realization of resonant mechanisms for wing actuation in flapping wing micro air vehicles

Abstract

This paper shows the developments in the design and realization of a compliant structure that functions as a resonant mechanism to drive the wings of a flapping wing micro air vehicle. The inspiration for the application of resonance to drive a flapping wing structure is derived from resonant properties exhibited by the insect thorax-wing system. The base structure used for the resonant mechanism is a ring-type structure. Two different test structures are modeled and optimized after which they are realized and their performance reviewed.