Simulation of the flapping wing aerial vehicle using flexible multibody dynamics. (October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Choi, JaeWon; Gong, DuHyun; Lee, Junhee; Kim, Chongam; Shin, SangJoon
• Is Part Of: International journal of micro air vehicles. Volume 13(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-10
• Subjects: Insect-type -- flapping wing -- finite-element-based flexible multibody dynamics -- geometrically exact beam -- trailing edge control; Aerosonde (Drone aircraft) -- Periodicals; Aerospace engineering -- Periodicals; Aerosonde (Drone aircraft); Aerospace engineering; Periodicals; 623.746905
• DOI: 10.1177/17568293211043305
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1756-8293

Abstract

An insect-type flapping wing micro aerial vehicle offers high aerodynamic efficiency and maneuverability in confined spaces. The complicated aerodynamic/structural behavior of flapping wing micro aerial vehicle, however, causes difficulties regarding the dynamic control and parametric design. This paper develops a moderately accurate numerical framework taking into account the passive motion of the main wings. Finite-element-based multibody dynamics and two-dimensional unsteady aerodynamics are combined to simulate the hover of a flapping wing micro aerial vehicle. In addition, flexible and rigid wings are compared through numerical simulation considering the flexibility. In terms of the average thrust, numerical simulation by fluid–structure interaction shows good agreements against the experimental results within 5% discrepancy.