An experimental investigation of the geometric characteristics of flapping-wing propulsion for a micro-air vehicle

View/ Open
Author
Papadopoulos, Jason N.
Date
2003-06Advisor
Jones, Kevin
Platzer, Max
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
The geometric characteristics of flapping-wing propulsion are studied experimentally through the use of a force balance and a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) system. The system used is built to duplicate the propulsion system currently on the flying model of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) MAV model. Experiments are carried out in a low speed wind tunnel to determine the effects of mean separation and plunge amplitude on the flapping wing propulsion system. Additionally, the effects of flapping-wing shape, flapping frequency, and MAV angle of attack (AOA) are also investigated. Some flow visualization is also performed. The intent is to optimize the system so that payload and controllability improvements can be made to the NPS MAV.
Description
Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited
Collections
Related items
Showing items related by title, author, creator and subject.
-
Experimental investigation of pitch control enhancement to the flapping wing micro air vehicle
Chin, Chee Kian. (Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School, 2006-12);The mechanical pitching characteristic of the NPS flapping-wing Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) developed by Professor Kevin D. Jones are studied experimentally through the use of constant temperature anemometry and force balance ... -
Flapping-Wing Propulsion for a Micro Air Vehicle
Jones, K.D.; Platzer, M.F. (2000);Recent interest in the development of micro-air-vehicles (MAVs) has led to a renewed interest in flapping-wing propulsion due to the relatively poor efficiencies of conventional propellers at these small scales. In the ... -
An Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Flapping-Wing Propulsion
Jones, K.D.; Platzer, M.F. (1999);Flapping-wing propulsion is investigated experimentally and numerically with direct comparisons between experimental and numerical thrust measurements for several geometrically simple configurations. Numerical simulations ...