Print Email Facebook Twitter Numerical Investigation on the Propulsive Performance of Biplane Counter-flapping Wings Title Numerical Investigation on the Propulsive Performance of Biplane Counter-flapping Wings Author Deng, S. Xiao, T. Van Oudheusden, B.W. Bijl, H. Faculty Aerospace Engineering Department Aerodynamics, Wind Energy & Propulsion Date 2015-12-01 Abstract A numerical investigation is performed to address the flexing effect on the propulsion performance of flapping wing particularly on the counter-flapping wings of the biplane configuration. A Reynolds number of 10,000 is considered in the present study which corresponds to the flight regime of most existing flapping wing micro air vehicles. The computation involves solving the compressible unsteady Reynolds- averaged Native-Stokes equation using an inhouse developed code. The flapping motion is incorporated by an efficient deforming overset grid technique which allows multiple flexible bodies to be embedded into the flow field. Results show that the biplane wing with counter-flapping configuration has a better propulsive performance in comparison to a single flapping wing. A low-pressure regime between the two wings during the outstroke produces more thrust, while the counter-flapping motion can also generate a surfeit momentum rushing in to the wake. The more flexible wing can produce more thrust while less power is required thus owning a better propulsive performance. To reference this document use: http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:8fcffd8f-f6d1-442b-83d9-27b794c8c2cd Publisher Multi-Science Publishing ISSN 1756-8293 Source https://doi.org/10.1260/1756-8293.7.4.431 Source International Journal of Micro Air Vehicles, 7 (4), 2015 Part of collection Institutional Repository Document type journal article Rights (c) 2015 Multi-Science Publishing Files PDF 328345.pdf 1.36 MB Close viewer /islandora/object/uuid:8fcffd8f-f6d1-442b-83d9-27b794c8c2cd/datastream/OBJ/view