Lift and drag of flapping membrane wings at high angles of attack

Mohamed Y. Zakaria, David Allen, Craig A. Woolsey, Muhammad R. Hajj

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

An experimental study was undertaken to assess the aerodynamic benefits of flapping in forward flight at various Reynolds numbers and flapping frequencies. The test article is a commercially available ornithopter whose flapping wing is a flexible membrane. Analysis has focused on the time-averaged aerodynamic performance (i.e. mean lift and thrust/drag). Results to date reveal a consistent trend in the variation of the thrust produced with changes in flapping frequency and angle of attack. These results are presented in terms of classical aircraft performance parameters, e.g. cycle-averaged lift and drag coefficients. The average effect of the flexible flapping wing on vehicle performance is thus expressed in familiar terms, parametrized by the flapping frequency.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication34th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
Event34th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, 2016 - Washington, United States
Duration: 13 Jun 201617 Jun 2016

Publication series

Name34th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference

Conference

Conference34th AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityWashington
Period13/06/1617/06/16

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