Calculus of variations approach for optimum maneuverability of flapping micro-air-vehicles near hover

Haithem E. Taha, Muhammad R. Hajj, Ahmed H. Roman, Ali H. Nayfeh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

The stringent weight, size, and power constraints imposed on the design of flapping-wing micro-air vehicles (FWMAV) present the need for optimum design and performance. The objective is to use the calculus-of-variations and optimal control techniques to derive an optimum shape for the back and-forth flapping angle that produces the maximum cycle-average forward thrust force under the constraint that the cycle-average lift is equal to the vehicle's weight. The derived kinematics will be suitable for sudden collision avoidance and possibly for fast transition from hovering to forward flight or for minimum-time transition from one hovering point to another. The use of calculus-of-variations and optimal control techniques also yields a reference performance; that is the maximum forward acceleration that a FWMAV can ever achieve from the hovering position using a horizontal actuator only.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1367-1372
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Guidance, Control, and Dynamics
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2014

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