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Experimental and numerical investigation of wing–wing interaction and its effect on aerodynamic force of a robotic dragonfly during hovering and forward flight

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Abstract

In the present study, a flapping-wing micro-air vehicle (FWMAV) like a dragonfly is developed by changing the phase shift angle between the fore and hind wings and experimentally tested using the wind tunnel. Two conditions are considered while conducting the experiments; (1) hovering [advance ratio (J) or the inlet velocity of air is kept zero], and (2) forward flight condition (advance ratio J = 0.4). Four phase angles (γ) are considered in the experiment analysis (0°, 60°, 90°, and 180°). For the validation of experimental results, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was executed by implementing fluid–structure interaction method. It is observed that the in-phase flapping (γ = 0°) generates larger force and at the same time produces larger variation of force over the entire flapping cycle. This condition is suitable for take-off and forward flight of the dragonfly. In the counter-phase/out of phase (γ = 180°), the magnitude of force generated is less as compared to the in-phase flapping. However, the counter-phase condition is more stable as compared to in phase flapping, and thus, it is more suitable for hovering flight of the dragonfly. The time of interaction of wake capture, wing–wing interaction, and dipole structure are examined through 2-D vorticity flow fields around the fore and hind wings. The obtained CFD results are in close agreement with the experimental results.

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  • 18 January 2021

    Journal abbreviated title on top of the page has been corrected to “Arch Appl Mech”

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  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, GIT, GITAM (Deemed To Be University), Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

    Prafulla Kumar Swain & Siva Prasad Dora

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  1. Prafulla Kumar Swain
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  2. Siva Prasad Dora
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Correspondence to Prafulla Kumar Swain.

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Swain, P.K., Dora, S.P. Experimental and numerical investigation of wing–wing interaction and its effect on aerodynamic force of a robotic dragonfly during hovering and forward flight. Arch Appl Mech 91, 2039–2052 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00419-020-01868-z

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