The thrust and/or propulsive efficiency of a single flapping airfoil is maximized by using a numerical optimization method based on the steepest ascent. The flapping motion of the airfoil is described by a combined sinusoidal plunge and pitching motion. Optimization parameters are taken to be the amplitudes of the plunge and pitching motions and the phase shift between them at a fixed flapping frequency. Two-dimensional, unsteady, low-speed, laminar, and turbulent flows are computed by using a Navier-Stokes solver on moving overset grids. Computations are performed in parallel in a computer cluster. The optimization data show that high thrust values may be obtained at the expense of propulsive efficiency. For a high propulsive efficiency, the effective angle of attack of the airfoil is reduced, and large-scale vortex formations at the leading edge are prevented.
CITATION STYLE
Tuncer, I. H., & Kaya, M. (2005). Optimization of flapping airfoils for maximum thrust and propulsive efficiency. AIAA Journal, 43(11), 2329–2336. https://doi.org/10.2514/1.816
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