Accession Number:

ADA379263

Title:

A Computational And Experimental Investigation Of Flapping-Wing Propulsion

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA

Personal Author(s):

• Lund, Timothy C.

Report Date:

2000-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

80.0

Abstract:

Flapping-wing propulsion is studied experimentally and numerically. The objective of the research is to provide further insight into the aerodynamics of flapping-wing air vehicles. Experimental work is conducted in the NPS 1.5 m x 1.5 m 5 ft x 5 ft in-draft wind tunnel. A previously constructed long-span flapping-wing model suspended by cables is used to approximate the two-dimensional nature of the numerical simulation. For this experiment, the model is configured with two wings executing plunge-only motion. Thrust is indirectly determined by using a laser rangefinder to measure streamwise displacement of the model. Results are compared with previous experimental tests. A numerical analysis is conducted using USPOT, a locally developed unsteady panel code that models two independently moving airfoils with three degrees of freedom and non-linear deforming wakes. Thrust and efficiencies are computed for harmonically oscillating airfoils. Direct comparison is made between experimental and numerical thrust measurements.

Descriptors:

• *AERODYNAMIC CHARACTERISTICS
• *FLAPS(CONTROL SURFACES)
• *WINGS
• MATHEMATICAL MODELS
• MEASUREMENT
• EXPERIMENTAL DATA
• COMPUTATIONS
• EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN
• COMPARISON
• DEFORMATION
• DISPLACEMENT
• NUMERICAL ANALYSIS
• MOTION
• TEST METHODS
• AIRFOILS
• LASERS
• DEGREES OF FREEDOM
• NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
• WAKE
• RANGE FINDING
• OSCILLATION
• THRUST
• LASER VELOCIMETERS

Subject Categories:

• Fluid Mechanics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE