Design optimization of flapping ornithopters: The pterosaur replica in forward flight

Mohamed Y. Zakaria, Haithem E. Taha, Muhammad R. Hajj

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

26 Scopus citations

Abstract

There has been a recent interest to explore the shape and kinematics parameters of distinct pterosaurs from their fossil records. Clearly, far more evidence is needed to understand the nuances of dinosaurs flight. A multiobjective aerodynamic optimization problem of the wing kinematics and planform of a pterosaur replica ornithopter designed by Aerovironment is performed. Objective functions include minimization of the required cycle-averaged aerodynamic power and maximization of the propulsive efficiency. It is found that inclusion of the inertial power requirements is necessary for a physical and proper formulation of the optimization problem. Furthermore, the mere addition of the inertial power requirements is not enough to obtain reasonable results. Rather, one has to consider a partial (or even zero) elastic energy storage. The minimum power kinematic parameters closely match those of the previously designed pterosaur replica. Nevertheless, the obtained efficiency for such a design (minimum power) is 10%, which is considerably lower than the maximum possible efficiency for the used planform (40%). Furthermore, the optimized planform for maximum efficiency of the pterosaur yields to an increase in the propulsive efficiency by 6%.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48-59
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Aircraft
Volume53
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

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