Modeling Studies of Bi- and Quad-Wing Flapping Ornithopter Kinematics and Aerodynamics

Abstract

Following an earlier attempt to develop a generic approach to model the kinematics and aerodynamics of a bi-wing flapping wing ornithopter, modeled following a simplified version of DeLaurier’s approach with appropriate modifications, a flapping quad-wing ornithopter kinematic and aerodynamic model is also developed. Consideration is given to the motion of a rigid and thin bi-wing and quad-wing ornithopter in flapping and pitching motion with phase lag. A basic unsteady aerodynamic approach incorporating salient features of viscous effect and leading-edge suction is utilized. A parametric study is carried out to reveal their aerodynamic characteristics and for comparative analysis with various selected simple models in the literature. In spite of their simplicity, the results obtained for both models are able to reveal the mechanism of lift and thrust, and compare well with other works.