Aerodynamic performance of owl-like airfoil undergoing bio-inspired flapping kinematics

Natural flyers have extraordinary flight skills and their prominent aerodynamic performance has attracted a lot of attention. However, the aerodynamic mechanism of birds' flapping wing kinematics still lacks in-depth understanding. In this paper, the aerodynamic performance of owl-like airfoil undergoing bio-inspired flapping kinematics extracted from a free-flying owl wing has been numerically investigated. The overset mesh technique is used to deal with the large range movements of flapping airfoils. The bio-inspired kinematics consist of plunging and pitching movement. A pure sinusoidal motion and a defined motion composed of plunging of sinusoidal motion and pitching of the bio-inspired kinematics are selected for comparison. The other two NACA airfoils are also selected to figure out the advantages of the owl-like airfoil. It is found that the cambered owl-like airfoil can enhance lift during the downstroke. The bio-inspired kinematics have an obvious advantage in lift generation with a presence of higher peak lift and positive lift over a wider proportion of the flapping cycle. Meanwhile, the bio-inspired motion is more economical for a lower power consumption compared with the sinusoidal motion. The sinusoidal flapping motion is better for thrust generation for a higher peak thrust value in both upstroke and downstroke, while the bio-inspired kinematics mainly generate thrust during the downstroke but produce more drag during the upstroke. The defined motion has similar lift performance with the bio-inspired kinematics, while it consumes more energy and generates less thrust. The unsteady flow field around airfoils is also analyzed to explain the corresponding phenomenon. The research in this paper is helpful to understand the flight mechanism of birds and to design a micro air vehicle with higher performance.     

Unsteady aerodynamics and flow control for flapping wing flyers

The creation of micro air vehicles (MAVs) of the same general sizes and weight as natural fliers has spawned renewed interest in flapping wing flight. With a wingspan of approximately 15 cm and a flight speed of a few meters per second, MAVs experience the same low Reynolds number (10⁴–10⁵) flight conditions as their biological counterparts. In this flow regime, rigid fixed wings drop dramatically in aerodynamic performance while flexible flapping wings gain efficacy and are the preferred propulsion method for small natural fliers. Researchers have long realized that steady-state aerodynamics does not properly capture the physical phenomena or forces present in flapping flight at this scale. Hence, unsteady flow mechanisms must dominate this regime. Furthermore, due to the low flight speeds, any disturbance such as gusts or wind will dramatically change the aerodynamic conditions around the MAV. In response, a suitable feedback control system and actuation technology must be developed so that the wing can maintain its aerodynamic efficiency in this extremely dynamic situation; one where the unsteady separated flow field and wing structure are tightly coupled and interact nonlinearly. For instance, birds and bats control their flexible wings with muscle tissue to successfully deal with rapid changes in the flow environment. Drawing from their example, perhaps MAVs can use lightweight actuators in conjunction with adaptive feedback control to shape the wing and achieve active flow control. This article first reviews the scaling laws and unsteady flow regime constraining both biological and man-made fliers. Then a summary of vortex dominated unsteady aerodynamics follows. Next, aeroelastic coupling and its effect on lift and thrust are discussed. Afterwards, flow control strategies found in nature and devised by man to deal with separated flows are examined. Recent work is also presented in using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuators and angular speed variation to achieve active flow control for MAVs. Finally, an explanation for aerodynamic gains seen in flexible versus rigid membrane wings, derived from an unsteady three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model with an integrated distributed control algorithm, is presented.     

扑翼飞行器动力系统建模方法

为快速评估扑翼飞行器的航时,便于针对不同扑动翼进行动力系统设计与优化,逐步减少实物验证与试飞,加快扑翼飞行器的研制,基于实验数据参数辨识的方法建立了包含直流无刷电机、电调（ESC）、锂电池和扑动机构等扑翼飞行器动力系统组件的动态模型,其中电机模型相对误差小于10%,锂电池动态模型相对误差小于6%;提出了一种基于风洞试验气动数据和功率数据的扑动轴瞬时气动载荷半经验高精度建模方法,解决了气动载荷测量较为困难的问题,模型确定系数大于0.89;集成以上模型后的扑翼飞行器仿真系统还包含扑动翼周期平均气动模型、平尾气动模型和纵向控制模型,确保仿真在动态配平状态下进行,可进行全任务剖面航时仿真,航时仿真与实际试飞结果相比误差小于3%。集成的扑翼飞行器仿真系统采用模块化建模思想,各模型参数独立可调,能进一步应用于扑翼飞行器多学科优化等研究。     

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.     

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      

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。     

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...     

基于CFD/CSD耦合方法的旋翼气动弹性载荷计算分析

为提高直升机前飞状态下旋翼非定常气动弹性载荷的预估精度,在旋翼气动弹性综合分析方法中引入旋翼CFD模块,建立了一套基于CFD/CSD松耦合分析的计算方法和程序。为高效解决流固耦合方法中由于桨叶挥舞、扭转等弹性变形带来的旋翼贴体网格变形问题,采用基于代数变换方法的网格变形技术,桨叶运动变形量和旋翼气动力信息通过流固交接面传递。旋翼流场分析方法中,主控方程采用耦合S-A湍流模型的Navier-Stokes方程,围绕旋翼流场的网格采用结构嵌套网格方法生成,无黏通量计算采用Roe格式,时间推进采用双时间法。旋翼结构分析中,考虑旋翼配平,基于Hamilton变分原理和20自由度Timoshenko梁模型求解弹性旋翼非线性运动方程。分别对CSD和CFD方法进行验证,在此基础上,计算了SA349/2旋翼桨叶在前飞状态下的非定常气动力、挥舞弯矩、摆振弯矩和扭转力矩,并与飞行测试数据进行了对比。计算表明:CFD/CSD耦合方法可以显著提高旋翼非定常气动弹性载荷的分析精度,精确捕捉桨叶表面压强峰值、激波位置等,表明本文发展的旋翼CFD/CSD耦合方法可以有效地运用到旋翼气动弹性载荷的预测分析中。     

微型飞行器优化设计及气动特性分析

微型飞行器(MAV)气动布局形式是影响其飞行性能指标的关键因素之一。从总体角度出发，设计出三种不同气动布局的MAV，并对其进行了优化设计和气动特性分析。研究结果对MAV气动布局的设计有一定的指导意义。     

Smart flight control surfaces with microelectromechanical systems

Pitch, roll, and yaw moments can be developed by deflecting and changing the geometry of control surfaces. In this paper, smart flight control surfaces are designed using multi-node microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) to displace control surfaces and change the surface geometry. These MEMS augment translational motion microstructures (actuators-sensors), controlling/signal processing integrated circuits (ICs), radiating energy devices and antennas. The desired pitch, roll, and yaw moments are produced, drag can be reduced, and unsteady aerodynamic flows are controlled by smart flight control surfaces. That is, we achieve aerodynamic moment and active flow control capabilities. The major objective here is to report fundamental and applied research in design of smart flight control surfaces with MEMS-based actuator-sensor-IC arrays controlled by hierarchical distributed systems. We demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the application of smart flight control surfaces for coordinated longitudinal and lateral vehicle control     

超/高超声速飞行器动态稳定性导数极快速预测方法

飞行器设计早期阶段需要预测大量工况下的动导数。本文发展了一种面向超/高超声速飞行器的动导数极快速预测方法：首先基于当地流活塞理论,将飞行器进行小幅非定常运动所受到的气动力分为受自由来流引起的无附加扰动项以及受物面变形或运动引起的附加扰动项;通过当地表面斜度法、激波后等熵关系求解物面当地流动参数,进而结合非定常运动规律求出飞行器所受非定常气动力;再采用待定系数法对非定常气动力进行提取、辨识,最终得到超/高超声速飞行器动导数。该方法克服了传统方法对CFD流场参数的依赖和耦合,具有极高的计算效率;同时典型算例验证表明,该方法在超声速、高超声速工况下都能够很好预测动导数变化趋势。将该方法应用于复杂外形飞行器动导数预测,并讨论了与CFD方法的误差来源。本文方法可作为高速飞行器总体设计阶段布局选型的工具。     

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。     

过渡状态的倾转旋翼气动特性计算分析(英文)

针对特殊的旋翼倾转运动,建立了一个过渡状态的旋翼非定常气动力数值计算方法.为正确模拟旋翼倾转运动使桨叶受到的附加惯性力及哥氏力作用,重新推导了旋翼倾转时的桨叶气动力模型和挥舞运动方程;为了适合于旋翼倾转时的入流和气动力计算,入流模型中考虑了倾转运动引起的旋翼尾迹弯曲影响.应用建立的方法,首先进行了旋翼配平计算,以验证计算模型,并给出了倾转旋翼的操纵量.然后,着重计算了旋翼在倾转过渡时的拉力.俯仰和滚转力矩随倾转角的变化,分析了倾转飞行时的前飞速度.倾转时间等对旋翼气动力的影响,得出了一些新的结论.     

颤振边界高效精确预测分析

高效精确地确定多种飞机构型的颤振边界在飞机设计过程中具有重要意义。为了提高计算效率和计算结果的准确性,针对亚声速和跨声速两种马赫数区域,提出分别采用线性和非线性方法进行非定常气动力分析。非线性分析在引入精确的定常气动力的基础上,采用高效率跨声速小扰动方程进行求解;颤振求解统一采用g 法。对大型飞机的梁架—减缩刚度组合模型的空机及三种典型燃油构型进行涵盖飞行包线的全马赫数变高度颤振分析,结果表明：四种构型的颤振边界与颤振试飞边界一致,与其他分析方法相比,效率有明显提高,尤其是对多种飞机构型能够高效地获得准确的颤振边界,即说明本文采用的方法是目前适用于工程上的一种高效精确的预测大型飞机颤振边界的方法。     

空天飞行器整体式救生座舱的稳定减速与分离特性数值模拟

整体式密闭救生座舱方案将座椅与驾驶舱进行整体设计，弹射后具有独立的气动型面，在包含亚声速、跨声速、超声速甚至高超声速等非常宽广的速度范围可以更好地保护飞行员免受高速气流的吹袭，是空天飞行器救生系统设计的重要途径之一。针对整体式救生座舱，首先开展基本静态气动性能数值模拟评估；之后采用一种刚性减速伞增稳方案（整体式座舱+减速伞）对其稳定性和减速效率进行改进；最后采用动态重叠网格方法，对整体式座舱+减速伞构型的近机弹射轨迹特性开展动态数值模拟计算，从而获得该构型在抛投过程中的稳定性和安全性。研究结果表明，单独整体式救生座舱难以具备静稳定性；减速伞方案可大幅改善座舱的稳定性能，使座舱在Ma=0.3~4.0范围内均具有静、动态稳定性，并呈现亚声速时随马赫数升高而增强、超声速时随马赫数升高而减弱的变化规律，且高马赫数（Ma=4.0）工况可通过降低飞行高度以增加动压的方式进一步提升座舱的动稳定性；在宽速域范围内，整体式座舱+减速伞构型经过弹射力和火箭推力的辅助作用，能够实现与机体的安全分离，并且分离后其俯仰振荡姿态均具有收敛特性。     

基于直接力控制的阵风响应及阵风减缓研究

考察某无人机模型的阵风气动响应特性和基于直接力操纵的阵风减缓效果.在求解非定常Euler方程时引入“网格速度”方法模拟阵风边界条件,通过动态嵌套网格技术实现舵面运动.首先对NACA0006翼型迎角阶跃型阵风的气动力响应进行了验证计算,计算结果与理论结果、文献计算结果吻合良好.在此基础上对某无人机模型在迎角阶跃型、One-minus-cosine型阵风作用下的气动力响应过程进行了数值模拟,并分析评估了不同舵面运动方式对飞机气动性能的影响.最终研究比较了不同舵面运动方式下阵风气动响应的减缓效果.结果表明:通过合理设计舵面运动,可以有效达到抑制阵风引起的非定常气动干扰的目的.     

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.     

Nonlinear dynamics of a flapping rotary wing: Modeling and optimal wing kinematic analysis

The analysis of the passive rotation feature of a micro Flapping Rotary Wing(FRW)applicable for Micro Air Vehicle(MAV) design is presented in this paper. The dynamics of the wing and its influence on aerodynamic performance of FRW is studied at low Reynolds number(~10~3).The FRW is modeled as a simplified system of three rigid bodies: a rotary base with two flapping wings. The multibody dynamic theory is employed to derive the motion equations for FRW. A quasi-steady aerodynamic model is utilized for the calculation of the aerodynamic forces and moments. The dynamic motion process and the effects of the kinematics of wings on the dynamic rotational equilibrium of FWR and the aerodynamic performances are studied. The results show that the passive rotation motion of the wings is a continuous dynamic process which converges into an equilibrium rotary velocity due to the interaction between aerodynamic thrust, drag force and wing inertia. This causes a unique dynamic time-lag phenomena of lift generation for FRW, unlike the normal flapping wing flight vehicle driven by its own motor to actively rotate its wings. The analysis also shows that in order to acquire a high positive lift generation with high power efficiency and small dynamic time-lag, a relative high mid-up stroke angle within 7–15° and low mid-down stroke angle within -40° to -35° are necessary. The results provide a quantified guidance for design option of FRW together with the optimal kinematics of motion according to flight performance requirement.     

面向复杂构型飞机的非定常气动力建模与辨识

不论是现代高机动隐身战斗机的设计需求还是常规布局飞机的飞行动力学分析,深入研究大迎角飞行时的非线性非定常气动力模型都极其重要。基于纵向运动小振幅及大振幅强迫振荡试验数据,分析了常规稳定导数模型的准确性,并从导数模型出发发展了简化涡流和分离流时间迟滞效应的非定常气动力线性模型和非线性模型,最后应用风洞典型机动历程模拟试验验证了模型的有效性。结果表明：对于复杂构型高机动飞机模型,发展并改进的非线性微分方程模型可以准确预测飞机不同机动下的非定常气动力特性,具有较强的工程可行性。