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Publication date: 25 July 2024

Yichen Zhang, Feng Cui, Wu Liu, Wenhao Zhu, Yiming Xiao, Qingcheng Guo and Jiawang Mou

Endurance time is an important factor limiting the progress of flapping-wing aircraft. In this study, this paper developed a prototype of a double-wing flapping-wing micro air…

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Abstract

Purpose

Endurance time is an important factor limiting the progress of flapping-wing aircraft. In this study, this paper developed a prototype of a double-wing flapping-wing micro air vehicle (FMAV) that mimics insect-scale flapping wing for flight. Besides, novel methods for optimal selection of motor, wing length and battery to achieve prolonged endurance are proposed. The purpose of this study is increasing the flight time of double-wing FMAV by optimizing the flapping mechanism, wings, power sources, and energy sources.

Design/methodology/approach

The 20.4 g FMAV prototype with wingspan of 21.5 cm used an incomplete gear flapping wing mechanism. The motor parameters related to the lift-to-power ratio of the prototype were first identified and analyzed, then theoretical analysis was conducted to analyze the impact of wing length and flapping frequency on the lift-to-power ratio, followed by practical testing to validate the theoretical findings. After that, analysis and testing examined the impact of battery energy density and efficiency on endurance. Finally, the prototype’s endurance duration was calculated and tested.

Findings

The incomplete gear facilitated 180° symmetric flapping. The motor torque constant showed a positive correlation with the prototype’s lift-to-power ratio. It was also found that the prototype achieved the best lift-to-power ratio when using 100 mm wings.

Originality/value

A gear-driven flapping mechanism was designed, capable of smoothly achieving 180° symmetric flapping. Besides, factors affecting long-duration flight – motor, wings and battery – were identified and a theoretical flight duration analysis method was developed. The experimental result proves that the FMAV could achieve the longest hovering time of 705 s, outperforming other existing research on double-wing FMAV for improving endurance.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 96 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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Article
Publication date: 18 March 2022

Zihao Chen, Weiping Zhang, Jiawang Mou and Kexin Zheng

Vertical take-off is commonly adopted in most insect-mimicking flapping-wing micro air vehicles (FMAV) while insects also adopt horizontal take-off from the ground. The purpose of…

369

Abstract

Purpose

Vertical take-off is commonly adopted in most insect-mimicking flapping-wing micro air vehicles (FMAV) while insects also adopt horizontal take-off from the ground. The purpose of this paper is to study how insects adjust their attitude in such a short time during horizontal take-off by means of designing and testing an FMAV based on stroke plane modulation.

Design/methodology/approach

An FMAV prototype based on stroke plane rotating modulation is built to test the flight performance during horizontal take-off. Dynamic gain and decoupling mixer is added to compensate for the nonlinearity during the rotation angle of the stroke plane getting too large at the beginning of take-off. Force/torque test based on a six-axis sensor validates the change of aerodynamic force and torque at different rotation angles. High-speed camera and motion capture system test the flight performance of horizontal take-off.

Findings

Stroke plane modulation can provide a great initial pitch toque for FMAV to realize horizontal take-off. But the large range of rotation angles causes nonlinearity and coupling of roll and yaw. A dynamic gain and a mixer are added in the controller, and the FMAV successfully achieves horizontally taking off in less than 1 s.

Originality/value

The research in this paper shows stroke plane modulation is suitable for insect’s horizontal take-off

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

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