TY - JOUR
T1 - Numerical Simulation of the Aerodynamic Performance of a Novel Micro-Aerial Vehicle Mimicking a Locus
AU - MOHAMED, Mohamed
AU - Maksoud, Talal
AU - Santos, Rodney
AU - Salim, Mohamed Hefny
AU - Esmail, Mohamed F. C.
PY - 2021/9/15
Y1 - 2021/9/15
N2 - This paper describes the design, micro-fabrication and testing of a novel Micro-Aerial Vehicle (MAV) that mimicking a real locust. Actual parameters of locust insect are used to create a micro-scale MAV that can replace the traditional types that mimicking dragonfly and birds. Based on the obtained results, the novel MAV crucial parameters are its weight and strength to take-off under normal locust performance parameters fashion. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are carried out at angles of attack of 10°, 20° and 30° and flapping frequencies of 19 Hz, 24 Hz, 30 Hz, 35 Hz and 40 Hz to investigate the aerodynamic performance of this designed MAV and optimize its flapping frequency. The simulation results defined the frequency at which the MAV is capable of hovering and take-off. In addition, the simulation results showed that the MAV is able to utilize some lift enhancement mechanisms that are being actually used by insects. These results enhances the manufacturing process of future MAV’s, especially in the material selection and manufacturing method, and the transmission mechanism for flight.
AB - This paper describes the design, micro-fabrication and testing of a novel Micro-Aerial Vehicle (MAV) that mimicking a real locust. Actual parameters of locust insect are used to create a micro-scale MAV that can replace the traditional types that mimicking dragonfly and birds. Based on the obtained results, the novel MAV crucial parameters are its weight and strength to take-off under normal locust performance parameters fashion. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are carried out at angles of attack of 10°, 20° and 30° and flapping frequencies of 19 Hz, 24 Hz, 30 Hz, 35 Hz and 40 Hz to investigate the aerodynamic performance of this designed MAV and optimize its flapping frequency. The simulation results defined the frequency at which the MAV is capable of hovering and take-off. In addition, the simulation results showed that the MAV is able to utilize some lift enhancement mechanisms that are being actually used by insects. These results enhances the manufacturing process of future MAV’s, especially in the material selection and manufacturing method, and the transmission mechanism for flight.
KW - Micro-flying machine
KW - Aerodynamics
KW - Flying insects
KW - CFD of flying wings
KW - Hovering freqeuncy
KW - Locust
U2 - 10.1016/j.asej.2021.01.022
DO - 10.1016/j.asej.2021.01.022
M3 - Article
SN - 2090-4479
VL - 12
SP - 2935
EP - 2945
JO - Ain Shams Engineering Journal
JF - Ain Shams Engineering Journal
IS - 3
ER -