Force Generation Mechanisms by an Insect Wing in Hovering Motion with Different Flipping Schedules

Hamdani H. R., Aizaz A., Naqvi M. A.

JOURNAL OF APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS, vol.10, no.1, pp.433-445, 2017 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.18869/acadpub.jafm.73.238.26152
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.433-445
  • Middle East Technical University Northern Cyprus Campus Affiliated: No

Abstract

The aerodynamic force and the flow structure of a wing performing hovering motion at small Reynolds number (Re=4000). is calculated by computationally solving the 3D Navier-Stokes equations. The computations are performed for the hovering motion which consists of stroke 1, followed by the flipping motion for reversing the direction and then the stroke 2 (similar to stroke 1 but in the opposite direction). The intent of the study is to research the effects of different scheduling of the flip motion between the two strokes. At Re=4000, the delayed stall mechanism is noted during the azimuth rotation of a wing with a high value of CL due to stabilized Leading Edge Vortex. The lift contribution during the flip (pitch rotation for reversing the direction) for the complete stroke is not substantial. During a stroke, the wing encountered the wake from the previous stroke in which, the wake does not contribute positively.