Bat-inspired integrally actuated membrane wings with leading-edge sensing

Bat-inspired integrally actuated membrane wings with leading-edge sensing.

This paper presents a numerical investigation on the closed-loop performance of a two-dimensional actuated membrane wing with fixed supports. The proposed concept mimics aerodynamic sensing and actuation mechanisms found in bat wings to achieve robust outdoor flight: firstly, variable membrane tension, which is obtained in bats through skeleton articulation, is introduced through a dielectric-e...

The Leading-Edge Vortex of Swift Wings

Recent investigations on the aerodynamics of natural fliers have illuminated the significance of the Leading-Edge Vortex (LEV) for lift generation in a variety of flight conditions. A well documented example of an LEV is that generated by aircraft with highly swept, delta shaped wings. While the wing aerodynamics of a manoeuvring aircraft, a bird gliding and a bird in flapping flight vary signi...

Dual leading-edge vortices on flapping wings.

An experimental investigation was performed with two aims: (1) to clarify the existence of the dual leading-edge vortices (i.e. two vortices with the same sense of rotation located close to the leading edge above the leeward wing surface) observed on flapping wings in previous studies; (2) to study systematically the influences of kinematic and geometric parameters on such a vortical structure....

Non-conical Flow past Slender Wings with Leading-edge

The Unsteady Motion of Slender Wings with Leading-Edge Vortices

The unsteady motion of thin, slender wings with leading-edge vortioes is considered. Incompressible flow and slender-wing theory are assumed throughout , and use is made of an analogy between the unsteady flow and related steady flows. The particular motions treated are: (i) a sudden plunging motion, or change of incidence, (ii) entry into a gust, For the first case, it is shown that the flow i...