Modern Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology for Flapping Wing Vehicles

Cornelia Altenbuchner, James E Hubbard Jr.

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2017
• ISBN:
  9780128141373
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Aeronautic & Astronautic Engineering
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Modern Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology for Flapping Wing Vehicles presents research on the implementation of a flexible multi-body dynamic representation of a flapping wing ornithopter that considers aero-elasticity. This effort brings advances in the understanding of flapping wing flight physics and dynamics that ultimately leads to an improvement in the performance of such flight vehicles, thus reaching their high performance potential. In using this model, it is necessary to reduce body accelerations and forces of an ornithopter vehicle, as well as to improve the aerodynamic performance and enhance flight kinematics and forces which are the design optimization objectives.

This book is a useful reference for postgraduates in mechanical engineering and related areas, as well as researchers in the field of multibody dynamics.

• Uses Lagrange equations of motion in terms of a generalized coordinate vector of the rigid and flexible bodies in order to model the flexible multi-body system
• Provides flight verification data and flight physics of highly flexible ornithoptic vehicles
• Includes an online companion site with files/codes used in application examples

Chapter One

Bioinspired Flight Robotics Systems

Abstract

Chapter one discusses flapping wing flight, and the associated physics and dynamics

Chapter one provides an introduction to flight physics and dynamics of flapping wing flight and technology. The background in flapping wing flight, flapping wing aerodynamics, flapping wing robotics, desired capabilities of a model development, and a background on the concomitant modern model described in this work are provided. Wing geometry, wing motion profile, and wing flexibility become input parameters in the modern model methodology discussed in this book and are used to optimize the performance of these vehicles in straight and level flight. These parameters are discussed in the context of the aerodynamics of flapping wing and bio-inspired flapping wing flight platforms in chapter one. The significant characteristics that influence the aerodynamic performance and basic aerodynamics in straight and level flapping wing flight are described. The desired improvements in the dynamic characteristics of flapping wing flight vehicles are evaluated, followed by an explanation of aerodynamic mechanisms of flapping wing flight.

Keywords

Flapping wing aerodynamics; Flapping wing flight; Flapping wing robotics

1.1. Introduction of This Body of Work

Flapping wing aerial vehicles have the potential to be utilized for search and rescue missions, environmental surveillance, and to aid first responders. The body of work presented here leads to a flexible multi-body dynamic representation of a flapping wing ornithopter considering aeroelasticity. This body of work brings advances in the understanding of flapping wing flight physics and dynamics that ultimately leads to an improvement in the performance of such flight vehicles, and thus allowing them to reach their high performance potential. To accomplish the complex problem of improving ornithopter flight dynamics, a novel approach to flexible multi-body dynamics and aeroelasticity modeling is presented in conjunction with experimental data. Principles of flapping wing flight strategies and the simulation method developed herein might also be employed in the future to enhance the performance of other aircraft to lower energy consumption and lead to more eco-friendly flight.

1.2. The Background of Flapping Wing Flight Technology

1.2.1. Aerial Vehicles and Natural Flapping Wing Flyers

Small insect scale flyers, microaerial vehicles (MAVs), small unmanned air vehicles (SUAVs), and avian scale flyers have generated enormous interest in recent years due to a variety of potential applications in the civilian and military sector [1,2].

Research and Development efforts for flapping wing flight have mainly focused on MAVs due to the advantageous of aerodynamic efficiency associated with flapping wing vehicles operating in this flight regime [3–5]. Simple wing gates and dual flight configurations of hover and straight-and-level flight dominate this regime for flapping wing MAVs. Flapping wing flight on the avian scale is not entirely understood and has great performance potential due to its multi-flight configuration capability. MAV's wing gates and associated kinematics are complicated and occur in a transition Reynolds number flight regime. Here the aerodynamic advantages associated with flapping wings can be utilized as well to allow for efficient gliding flight. The associated wing gates (wing motion profiles), aerodynamics, and dynamics are not yet entirely understood [6] here or in SUAVs, which are of slightly larger scale. SUAVs lie on the opposite end of the flight spectrum from the conventional systems currently in use today. Flapping wing aerial vehicles fall in the SUAVs category. These vehicles combine the ability to hover like rotary-wing aircraft (as demonstrated by AeroVironment's hummingbird), while also allowing for gliding flight, much like fixed-wing aircraft [7].

Within the domain of SUAVs, the aerodynamics associated with flapping wing platforms demonstrate optimal properties characterized by small vehicle size and low Reynolds number flight [6,8]. Flapping wing flight vehicles have the capability to combine the three sides of the performance triangle: (1) ideal aerodynamic performance at a low Reynolds number flight regime, (2) agility and maneuverability, and (3) mission adaptability in one vehicle, as illustrated in Fig. 1.1. Consequently, they fill a niche in the design space of SUAV's [9].

Flapping wing vehicles have the ability to dive and perch, are highly maneuverable and agile, and have improved safety and reduced noise emissions when compared to rotary-wing vehicles. Additionally, flapping wing vehicles have visual properties, which make them ideal for contextual camouflage. These qualities and flight dynamics make them suitable, sustainable, and ideal for a variety of civilian and military mission profiles. These vehicles have the capability to perform specialized tasks such as gathering environmental information; atmospheric data collection; aerial surveillance; homeland security; and supply, search, and rescue missions. They can also aid policemen and firefighters to perform dull, dirty, and dangerous jobs as well as act as supporting team members for surveillance tasks (Fig. 1.2).

Figure 1.1 Flight capability of flapping wing flyers [10].

The flapping wing flight strategy for lift and thrust generation is key to enabling technology in the varied multi-mission capability of SUAV ornithopters. At relatively light wing loadings, flapping wing SUAVs are more aerodynamically efficient than conventional fixed-wing or rotary-wing vehicles [4,5]. As the vehicle size decreases, viscous effects become more pronounced and fixed-wing vehicles can suffer from decreased lift to drag ratios and decreased flight performance [3,4]. For rotary-wing aircraft, viscous effects reduce the aerodynamic efficiency of the vehicle [3]. Research by Wang et al. demonstrated that when optimal wing motions are applied in low Reynolds number flight, flapping wing technologies can save up to 27% of the aerodynamic power required by fixed- and rotary-wing vehicles. This indicates that the aerodynamic power needed to support a specified weight is lower when using optimal flapping wing motions [8]. In the design space of SUAVs, simple single flight mode mission profiles can be satisfied with either rotary- or fixed-wing vehicles. H...

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Title page
• Table of Contents
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Preface
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• List of Nomenclature
• Acknowledgments
• Summary
• Chapter One. Bioinspired Flight Robotics Systems
• Chapter Two. Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology's for Flapping Wing Vehicles
• Chapter Three. Bioinspired Flapping Wing Test Platform Used to Implement Modern Modeling Methodology
• Chapter Four. Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology Implementation Avian Scale Flapping Wing Flyer
• Chapter Five. Aerodynamics Modeling for Flexible Multi-Body Dynamics Modeling Methodology Implementation Avian Scale Flapping Wing Flyer
• Chapter Six. Results of the Modeling Methodology Implementation and Flight Simulation
• Chapter Seven. Concluding Remarks About Modern Modeling Methodology Implementation and Flight Physics of Avian Scale Flight Robotics Systems
• Index