Aerodynamic analysis of flapping wing over fixed wing

Abstract

The need for the study of an ornithopter is based on the argument that flapping wing flight, at small scale, is more efficient than traditional fixed wing and rotary flight. Flapping wing flight more closely mimics natural flight and has potential for being lower in weight and having greater endurance. Recent approaches involve analyzing bird, bat and insect flight which enabled understanding of the mechanisms that biological ‘machines’ that use flapping to provide lift and thrust. It is known that the flexible nature of membrane type wings can increase aerodynamic stability by damping unsteady forces/moments and storing elastic energy. The objective of this study is to analyze relative merits of a flapping wing over a fixed wing. This paper primarily focuses on the role of wing flexibility in flapping wing flight. The study of two wings, various flapping frequencies and air flows will help future researchers in perhaps eventually building a flapping wing UAV with flexible membrane wings.