Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind

Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the influence of crosswind on the aerodynamic characteristics of rigid dragonfly-like flapping wings through the solution of the three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The aerodynamic forces, the moments, and the flow structures of four...

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Main Authors: Chao Wang, Rui Zhang, Chaoying Zhou, Zhenzhong Sun
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2020-01-01
Series:International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/7325154
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author Chao Wang
Rui Zhang
Chaoying Zhou
Zhenzhong Sun
author_facet Chao Wang
Rui Zhang
Chaoying Zhou
Zhenzhong Sun
author_sort Chao Wang
collection DOAJ
description Numerical simulations are performed to investigate the influence of crosswind on the aerodynamic characteristics of rigid dragonfly-like flapping wings through the solution of the three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The aerodynamic forces, the moments, and the flow structures of four dragonfly wings are examined when the sideslip angle ϑ between the crosswind and the flight direction varied from 0o to 90o. The stability of the dragonfly model in crosswind is analyzed. The results show that the sideslip angle ϑ has a little effect on the total time-average lift force but significant influence on the total time-average thrust force, lateral force, and three-direction torques. An increase in the sideslip angle gives rise to a larger total time-average lateral force and yaw moment. These may accelerate the lateral skewing of the dragonfly, and the increased rolling and pitching moments will further aggravate the instability of the dragonfly model. The vorticities and reattached flow on the wings move laterally to one side due to the crosswind, and the pressure on wing surfaces is no longer symmetrical and hence, the balance between the aerodynamic forces of the wings on two sides is broken. The effects of the sideslip angle ϑ on each dragonfly wing are different, e.g., ϑ has a greater effect on the aerodynamic forces of the hind wings than those of the fore wings. When sensing a crosswind, it is optimal to control the two hind wings of the bionic dragonfly-like micro aerial vehicles.
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spelling doaj-art-32625185128945adb76bc561f38ff06f2025-02-03T01:05:29ZengWileyInternational Journal of Aerospace Engineering1687-59661687-59742020-01-01202010.1155/2020/73251547325154Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in CrosswindChao Wang0Rui Zhang1Chaoying Zhou2Zhenzhong Sun3School of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523000, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin University of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering and Automation, Harbin University of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, ChinaSchool of Mechanical Engineering, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523000, ChinaNumerical simulations are performed to investigate the influence of crosswind on the aerodynamic characteristics of rigid dragonfly-like flapping wings through the solution of the three-dimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes equations. The aerodynamic forces, the moments, and the flow structures of four dragonfly wings are examined when the sideslip angle ϑ between the crosswind and the flight direction varied from 0o to 90o. The stability of the dragonfly model in crosswind is analyzed. The results show that the sideslip angle ϑ has a little effect on the total time-average lift force but significant influence on the total time-average thrust force, lateral force, and three-direction torques. An increase in the sideslip angle gives rise to a larger total time-average lateral force and yaw moment. These may accelerate the lateral skewing of the dragonfly, and the increased rolling and pitching moments will further aggravate the instability of the dragonfly model. The vorticities and reattached flow on the wings move laterally to one side due to the crosswind, and the pressure on wing surfaces is no longer symmetrical and hence, the balance between the aerodynamic forces of the wings on two sides is broken. The effects of the sideslip angle ϑ on each dragonfly wing are different, e.g., ϑ has a greater effect on the aerodynamic forces of the hind wings than those of the fore wings. When sensing a crosswind, it is optimal to control the two hind wings of the bionic dragonfly-like micro aerial vehicles.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/7325154
spellingShingle Chao Wang
Rui Zhang
Chaoying Zhou
Zhenzhong Sun
Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind
International Journal of Aerospace Engineering
title Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind
title_full Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind
title_fullStr Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind
title_full_unstemmed Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind
title_short Numerical Investigation on Flapping Aerodynamic Performance of Dragonfly Wings in Crosswind
title_sort numerical investigation on flapping aerodynamic performance of dragonfly wings in crosswind
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2020/7325154
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AT ruizhang numericalinvestigationonflappingaerodynamicperformanceofdragonflywingsincrosswind
AT chaoyingzhou numericalinvestigationonflappingaerodynamicperformanceofdragonflywingsincrosswind
AT zhenzhongsun numericalinvestigationonflappingaerodynamicperformanceofdragonflywingsincrosswind