A dragonfly wing inspired biomimetic aerodynamic thrust bearing for increased load capacity. (15th June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yu, Yunluo; Pu, Guang; Jiang, Tianchu; Jiang, Kyle
• Is Part Of: International journal of mechanical sciences. Volume 176(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-06-15
• Subjects: Biomimetic design -- Biomimetic aerodynamic bearing -- Load capacity -- Surface structures of insect wings; Mechanical engineering -- Periodicals; Génie mécanique -- Périodiques; Mechanical engineering; Maschinenbau; Mechanik; Zeitschrift; Periodicals; 621.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmecsci.2020.105550
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7403

Abstract

Highlights: A novel biomimetic aerodynamic bearing is designed. Five most representative surface structures of dragonfly wings are mimicked on the surface of thrust air bearings. The load capacity of the five surface structures are compared under various velocity angles. The optimal surface structure and velocity angle are taken to design the biomimetic bearing. The designed biomimetic bearing achieves a 46.11% higher load capacity than the optimized conventional spiral grooved bearing, verified by experiments. Abstract: A novel biomimetic aerodynamic thrust bearing is developed and investigated. The surface structure of the bearing is evolved from the micro-grids of dragonfly wings, which presumably aid flying and maneuver ability of dragonflies. The topography of the micro-grids of dragonfly wings was studied and five most representative geometries were extracted before being put on thrust bearings for performance examination. A theoretical model, solved with finite different and finite volume method, is developed to compare the static load capacity of the bearings under various velocities and flow angles, and the best geometry and velocity angle were selected and manufactured on the bearing surface for experimental tests. The dragonfly wing biomimetic bearing is found to increase load capacity by up to 46.11% in comparison with an optimized conventional spiral grooved bearing by experiments. Graphic abstract: Image, graphical abstract