Flapping and flexible wings for biological and micro air vehicles

Micro air vehicles (MAVs) with wing spans of 15 cm or less, and flight speed of 30–60 kph are of interest for military and civilian applications. There are two prominent features of MAV flight: (i) low Reynolds number (10⁴–10⁵), resulting in unfavorable aerodynamic conditions to support controlled flight, and (ii) small physical dimensions, resulting in certain favorable scaling characteristics including structural strength, reduced stall speed, and low inertia. Based on observations of biological flight vehicles, it appears that wing motion and flexible airfoils are two key attributes for flight at low Reynolds number. The small size of MAVs corresponds in nature to small birds, which do not glide like large birds, but instead flap with considerable change of wing shape during a single flapping cycle. With flapping and flexible wings, birds overcome the deteriorating aerodynamic performance under steady flow conditions by employing unsteady mechanisms. In this article, we review both biological and aeronautical literatures to present salient features relevant to MAVs. We first summarize scaling laws of biological and micro air vehicles involving wing span, wing loading, vehicle mass, cruising speed, flapping frequency, and power. Next we discuss kinematics of flapping wings and aerodynamic models for analyzing lift, drag and power. Then we present issues related to low Reynolds number flows and airfoil shape selection. Recent work on flexible structures capable of adjusting the airfoil shape in response to freestream variations is also discussed.     

Recent progress in flapping wing aerodynamics and aeroelasticity

Micro air vehicles (MAVs) have the potential to revolutionize our sensing and information gathering capabilities in areas such as environmental monitoring and homeland security. Flapping wings with suitable wing kinematics, wing shapes, and flexible structures can enhance lift as well as thrust by exploiting large-scale vortical flow structures under various conditions. However, the scaling invariance of both fluid dynamics and structural dynamics as the size changes is fundamentally difficult. The focus of this review is to assess the recent progress in flapping wing aerodynamics and aeroelasticity. It is realized that a variation of the Reynolds number (wing sizing, flapping frequency, etc.) leads to a change in the leading edge vortex (LEV) and spanwise flow structures, which impacts the aerodynamic force generation. While in classical stationary wing theory, the tip vortices (TiVs) are seen as wasted energy, in flapping flight, they can interact with the LEV to enhance lift without increasing the power requirements. Surrogate modeling techniques can assess the aerodynamic outcomes between two- and three-dimensional wing. The combined effect of the TiVs, the LEV, and jet can improve the aerodynamics of a flapping wing. Regarding aeroelasticity, chordwise flexibility in the forward flight can substantially adjust the projected area normal to the flight trajectory via shape deformation, hence redistributing thrust and lift. Spanwise flexibility in the forward flight creates shape deformation from the wing root to the wing tip resulting in varied phase shift and effective angle of attack distribution along the wing span. Numerous open issues in flapping wing aerodynamics are highlighted.     

微型扑翼飞行器的气动建模分析与试验

用计算流体力学的数值模拟方法研究了微扑翼飞行器的扑翼飞行的非定常空气动力学问题。在对昆虫扑翼飞行运动的仿生模拟基础上 ,对实际可飞的微扑翼飞行器的扑翼运动建立了三维翼型的运动学与空气动力学模型。利用任意拉格朗日欧拉 ( ALE)有限元方法求解出 N-S方程的数值解 ,证明简单扑翼布局所提供的升力足以克服微扑翼飞行器本身的重力使其飞行。在此基础上 ,分别计算并分析了拍动幅值、俯仰幅度以及扑翼频率等各种扑翼参数对升力的影响。最后 ,探索性的扑翼风洞试验与飞行试验结果在一定程度上验证了文中计算方法的可行性      

小型和微型无人机的气动特点和设计

讨论了当前包括固定翼、扑翼和微型旋翼的小型无人驾驶飞行器(SUAV)和微型无人驾驶飞行器(MAV)的进展和未来发展可能涉及的技术问题。讨论了低雷诺数空气动力特性,包括分离气泡和展弦比的影响。介绍了用于拍动翼的非定常空气动力特性和高升力机理。讨论了目前存在的2种设计方法——多学科/多目标优化设计和探索式/进化式的设计方法,以及在设计中柔性翼和主动智能控制的重要性。     

微型飞行器低雷诺数矩形扑翼非定常气动特性的数值模拟

采用双时间步方法求解三维可压缩非定常N-S方程,数值模拟了微型飞行器低雷诺数矩形扑翼的非定常绕流,首先将得到的结果与文献进行了对比,数据间具有较好的一致性.然后针对不同的展弦比、减缩频率及初始攻角,计算了矩形扑翼的非定常气动特性及表面流态和动态压力分布,并分析了翼尖涡对扑翼非定常气动特性的影响.     

Proportional fuzzy feed-forward architecture control validation by wind tunnel tests of a morphing wing

In aircraft wing design, engineers aim to provide the best possible aerodynamic performance under cruise flight conditions in terms of lift-to-drag ratio. Conventional control sur-faces such as flaps, ailerons, variable wing sweep and spoilers are used to trim the aircraft for other flight conditions. The appearance of the morphing wing concept launched a new challenge in the area of overall wing and aircraft performance improvement during different flight segments by locally altering the flow over the aircraft's wings. This paper describes the development and appli-cation of a control system for an actuation mechanism integrated in a new morphing wing structure. The controlled actuation system includes four similar miniature electromechanical actuators dis-posed in two parallel actuation lines. The experimental model of the morphing wing is based on a full-scale portion of an aircraft wing, which is equipped with an aileron. The upper surface of the wing is a flexible one, being closed to the wing tip; the flexible skin is made of light composite materials. The four actuators are controlled in unison to change the flexible upper surface to improve the flow quality on the upper surface by delaying or advancing the transition point from laminar to turbulent regime. The actuators transform the torque into vertical forces. Their bases are fixed on the wing ribs and their top link arms are attached to supporting plates fixed onto the flex-ible skin with screws. The actuators push or pull the flexible skin using the necessary torque until the desired vertical displacement of each actuator is achieved. The four vertical displacements of the actuators, correlated with the new shape of the wing, are provided by a database obtained through a preliminary aerodynamic optimization for specific flight conditions. The control system is designed to control the positions of the actuators in real time in order to obtain and to maintain the desired shape of the wing for a specified flight condition. The feasibility and effectiveness of the developed control system by use of a proportional fuzzy feed-forward methodology are demon-strated experimentally through bench and wind tunnel tests of the morphing wing model.     

Experimental investigations of a full model with adaptive elasto-flexible membrane wings

The morphing wing concept aims to constantly adapt the aerodynamics to different flight stages. The wing is able to adapt to different flight conditions by an adjustable Aspect Ratio (AR) and sweep. A high AR configuration provides high aerodynamic efficiency, while a low AR configuration, with highly swept wings offers a good maneuverability. Additionally, the flexible membrane allows the wing surface to stretch and contract in-plane as well as the airfoil to adapt to different aerodynamic loads. In the context of this work, the aerodynamic characteristics of a full model with form-adaptive elasto-flexible membrane wings are investigated experimentally. The focus is on the high-lift regime and on the analysis of the aerodynamic coefficients as well as their sensitivities. Especially, the lateral aerodynamic derivatives at asymmetric wing positions are of interest.     

柔性翼微型飞行器水平阵风响应特性实验研究

设计研制了一种飞翼布局的柔性翼和刚性翼微型飞行器,并在风洞中研究了两种微型飞行器在定常风和水平阵风作用下的气动特性,给出了柔性翼和刚性翼微型飞行器气动特性的差别。研究结果表明：不论是在定常风情况下,还是在水平阵风环境下,柔性翼的气动特性要优于刚性翼结构,柔性翼具有延迟失速和缓和阵风影响的能力,有利于稳定飞行。PIV测量结果表明：由于柔性翼的变形使刚性翼和柔性翼翼面上的流态不同,从而使微型飞行器的气动特性发生改变。     

多段柔性变体扑翼飞行器设计

多段柔性变体扑翼模仿海鸥翅膀的复杂运动.观察海鸥翅膀的运动周期,设计了包含慢频率扑动、展向折弯、弦向扭转和结构柔性变形的扑翼模型,并应用准定常方法计算气动力,为该扑翼飞行器设计提供依据.在CATIA和3DMAX中设计多段柔性变体扑翼机的三维模型和运动模拟,制作样机进行飞行试验,研究其平飞、爬升、偏航等飞行姿态,结果表明升力和推力与数值计算结果吻合.相较于原有扑翼飞行器,多段柔性变体扑翼飞行器可以慢频率扑动飞行,调整扑翼形状.      

三维仿生悬停扑翼的时间非对称扑动气动特性

基于对现有黄蜂飞行观察实验的分析，建立了不同下扑和上挥时间非对称扑动悬停扑翼运动轨迹模型，并采用数值求解三维层流Navier-Stokes(N-S)方程的方法，研究了采用不同下扑和上挥时间比的仿生悬停扑翼气动特性.结果表明采用适当的时间非对称扑动可以增强悬停扑翼的气动性能.进一步通过对不同时间非对称扑动扑翼流场分析得出，采用时间非对称扑动不但可以增强使扑翼产生高升力的旋转环流机制，而且还可以增强扑翼表面涡流和展向流的强度,从而使扑翼具有更好的气动性能.      

一种非对称折叠扑翼的风洞试验与数值模拟

为了解鸟类翅膀折叠运动的作用,对一个专利中的折叠扑翼机构进行了数学建模,外翼的折叠运动由非定常过程中的气动力、弹性恢复力矩和惯性力决定.利用风洞试验和数值模拟两种方式对该折叠扑翼模型进行了研究.数值模拟和风洞试验结果表明:相对于非折叠扑翼,折叠翼能够有效提高平均升力;在一定范围内增加内翼扑动频率可以提高折叠翼平均升力系...     

Aerodynamic modelling of insect-like flapping flight for micro air vehicles

Insect-like flapping flight offers a power-efficient and highly manoeuvrable basis for a micro air vehicle capable of indoor flight. The development of such a vehicle requires a careful wing aerodynamic design. This is particularly true since the flapping wings will be responsible for lift, propulsion and manoeuvres, all at the same time. It sets the requirement for an aerodynamic tool that will enable study of the parametric design space and converge on one (or more) preferred configurations. In this respect, aerodynamic modelling approaches are the most attractive, principally due to their ability to iterate rapidly through various design configurations. In this article, we review the main approaches found in the literature, categorising them into steady-state, quasi-steady, semi-empirical and fully unsteady methods. The unsteady aerodynamic model of Ansari et al. seems to be the most satisfactory to date and is considered in some detail. Finally, avenues for further research in this field are suggested.     

考虑弹性转轴的扑翼三维气动数值计算

通过求解雷诺平均Navier-Stokes方程,研究了同时具有扑动和俯仰运动的三维扑翼气动特性.为了模拟扑翼的弹性特性,在扑翼俯仰轴处设计了扭簧.研究了扑翼平面形状、俯仰弹性轴与质心的相对位置、俯仰刚度变化等参数的影响.结果表明:俯仰角相对扑动角有一个大的相位超前量,且刚度系数越大该超前量越大;考虑了俯仰弹性特征后,计...     

Effect of flexibility on unsteady aerodynamics forces of a purely plunging airfoil

Introducing flexibility into the design of a vertically flapping wing is an effective way to enhance its aerodynamic performance. As less previous studies on the aerodynamics of vertically flapping flexible wings focused on the lift generated in a wide range of angle of attack·a 2D numerical simulation of a purely plunging flexible airfoil is employed using a loose fluid–structure interaction method. The aerodynamics of a fully flexible airfoil are firstly studied with the flexibility and angle of attack. To verify whether an airfoil could get aerodynamic benefit from the change in structure, partially flexible airfoil with rigid leading edge and flexible trailing edge were further considered. Results show that flexibility could always reduce airfoil drag while lift and lift efficiency both peak at moderate flexibility. When freestream velocity is constant, lift is maximized at a high angle of attack about 40° while this optimal angle of attack reduces to 15° in drag-balanced status. The airfoil drag reduction, lift augmentation as well as efficiency enhancement mainly attribute to the passive pitching other than the camber deformation. Partially deformed airfoil with the longest length of moderate flexible trailing edge can achieve the highest lift. This study may provide some guidance in the wing design of Micro Air Vehicle (MAV).     

Optimal thickness distributions of aeroelastic flapping shells

The severe weight limitations of flapping wing micro air vehicles necessitates the use of thin flexible wings, which in turn requires an aeroelastic modeling tool for proper numerical characterization. Furthermore, due to the unconventional nature of these vehicles, wing design guidelines for thrust and/or power considerations are not generally available; numerical design optimization then becomes a valuable tool. This work couples a nonlinear shell model to an unsteady vortex lattice solver, and then computes analytical design gradients: the derivative of aerodynamic force/power quantities with respect to a large vector of thickness variables. Gradient-based optimization is then used to locate the wing structure that maximizes the thrust, or minimizes the power under a thrust constraint, for a variety of shell boundary conditions. Changes in the topological features of the optimal wing thicknesses highlight important aeroelastic interactions that can be exploited for efficient flapping wings.     

考虑机翼几何非线性的气动弹性建模与分析

大展弦比柔性机翼结构重量轻、气动效率高,广泛应用于高空长航时无人机(UAVs)。飞行过程中,这类机翼在气动力作用下发生大变形,线性结构模型不再适用,需要建立考虑几何大变形的结构模型。采用牛顿力学方法推导了考虑结构几何非线性的机翼结构动力学模型,该方法推导过程简洁、物理意义明确,可以与Hodges基于哈密顿原理的推导方法相互补充,相互验证。为了能够更准确地求解大展弦比柔性机翼的非定常气动力,建立了能够考虑机翼三维效应且适用于机翼空间大变形的非定常气动力模型。基于建立的非线性结构模型和非定常气动力模型,采用松耦合方法建立了非线性气动弹性模型,并通过算例验证了气弹模型的准确性。研究结果表明,大展弦比柔性机翼颤振速度对来流迎角和机翼的展长均较为敏感;当来流速度大于颤振速度时,由于几何非线性,机翼振动并未发散而是形成稳定的极限环振荡(LCO);随着来流速度进一步增加,机翼再次穿过临界稳定点,由不稳定系统变为稳定系统,直到随着速度的增加系统再次达到临界稳定状态。     

Unsteady characteristic research on aerodynamic interaction of slotted wingtip in flapping kinematics

The slotted wingtip structure of birds is considered to be the product of improving flight efficiency in the process of evolution. It can change the vortex structure of wingtip and improve aerodynamic efficiency. This paper reports a numerical investigation of slotted wing configuration undergoing bio-inspired flapping kinematics(consisting of plunging and in-line movement)extracted from a free-flying bald eagle wing. The aim is to eluci-date the collective mechanism of the flow generated by slo...     

基于PD控制的仿昆虫扑翼样机研制

仿昆虫微型扑翼飞行器（FW-MAN）可以模仿昆虫悬停、垂直起飞以及侧飞等飞行姿态，从而适应复杂多障碍环境，具有广阔的应用前景。成功设计研制了一款重23.8 g，翼展18 cm，扑动幅值180°，扑动频率可达22 Hz的可垂直起飞的仿昆虫微型扑翼飞行器。采用曲柄摇杆与滑轮的组合机构作为样机扑动机构以解决原有样机扑动方案存在高摩擦及结构复杂等问题，样机翅翼设计为具有扭转角度的柔性翅翼从而使样机具有更高的气动效率。考虑到现有的姿态调节机制存在增加机构复杂度问题，基于翅翼扭转的姿态调节机制，设计了相应的控制调节机构，并搭建了样机气动力测量平台和姿态调节平台。气动升力与姿态力矩测量结果表明，样机翅翼可提供足够升力，姿态调节机制具有可行性。在此基础上，选取PD （Proportional Differential）控制律作为样机控制方式，为解决参数调定耗时及直接试飞样机不易观察控制效果问题，基于姿态调节平台获取了初始控制参数，然后对样机进行了多次试飞实验，并多次调定参数，最终实现了样机稳定垂直起飞。     

Review of flow control mechanisms of leading-edge vortices

Vortex control concepts employed for slender and nonslender delta wings were reviewed. Important aspects of flow control include flow separation, vortex formation, flow reattachment, vortex breakdown, and vortex instabilities. The occurrence and relative importance of these phenomena strongly depend on the wing sweep angle. Various flow control methods were discussed: multiple vortices, control surfaces, blowing and suction, low-frequency and high-frequency excitation, feedback control, passive control with wing flexibility, and plasma actuators. For slender delta wings, control of vortex breakdown is achieved by modifications to swirl level and external pressure gradient acting on the vortex core. Effects of flow control methods on these two parameters were discussed, and their effectiveness was compared whenever possible. With the high-frequency excitation of the separated shear layer, reattachment and lift enhancement in the post-stall region is observed, which is orders of magnitude more effective than steady blowing. This effect is more pronounced for nonslender wings. Re-formation of vortices is possible with sufficient amplitude of forcing at the optimum frequency. Passive lift enhancement on flexible wings is due to the self-excited wing vibrations, which occur when the frequency of wing vibrations is close to the frequency of the shear layer instabilities, and promote flow reattachment.     

微型扑翼飞行器非定常运动对平尾的影响

以西北工业大学自行研制的微型扑翼飞行器ASN211为研究对象,利用其简化的二维扑翼及平尾串列翼模型进行了非定常数值模拟,分析了扑翼俯仰运动及沉浮运动对平尾气动性能的影响。在数值模拟模块中,模型的俯仰运动及沉浮运动由动网格技术实现。通过计算流体力学(CFD)软件Fluent对此非定常流场进行数值计算,重点研究了扑翼非定常运动尾流对平尾气动效率的影响。定常状态与非定常时均条件下平尾升力曲线的对比分析表明,扑翼的非定常运动能够增大平尾的失速迎角及最大升力系数,因而使平尾的失速特性得到改善。