Masters Theses

Keywords and Phrases

Flapping flight

Abstract

"The objective of this work was to investigate low Reynolds number (~6.000) aerodynamics of a three-dimensional elliptical acrylic wing (~ 150mm x 50mm) in cyclic flapping and pitching motion by experimentally testing the effects on performance of varying wing kinematics. A flapping-and-pitching mechanism was designed and built such that a DC motor drove flapping and a servo motor performed pitching. Force analysis was conducted based on strain measurements. From force analysis of flapping with a fixed angle of attack (8° to 45°). it was concluded that the expected optimal angle of attack at the middle of the stroke was between 30° and 45° . For flapping with pitching. the parameters that were tested were pitching timing, flapping frequency (0.181 to 0.500 Hz). and reduced frequency (0.053 to 0.135). The magnitude and direction of the normal force during pitching was dependent on the phase relationship between pitching and flapping. It was also observed that as flapping frequency increased from 0.181 to 0.500 Hz the magnitude of forces on the wing increased while the force trends remained consistent. However. the force trend changed when the reduced frequency changed. For a reduced frequency of 0.135. the normal force gradually increased during the middle of the stroke to a peak before pitching. while the normal force quickly increased then fluctuated during middle of the stroke for a reduced frequency of 0.053. Finally. flow visualization and particle image velocimetry (PIV) were used to observe the flow structures about the flapping wing. From these images. starting edge and leading-edge vortices were observed"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Isaac, Kakkattukuzhy M.

Committee Member(s)

Finaish, Fathi
Eversman, Walter

Department(s)

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Publisher

University of Missouri--Rolla

Publication Date

Summer 2005

Pagination

xi, 68 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 65-67)

Rights

© 2005 Jessica A. Rolwes, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Subject Headings

FlightInsects -- FlightPitching (Aerodynamics)Leading edges (Aerodynamics)Vortex-motion -- Mathematical models

Thesis Number

T 8796

Print OCLC #

63128622

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