Bioinspired corrugated airfoils for micro air vehicles

Manas Khurana; Javaan Chahl

doi:10.1117/12.2009685

8 April 2013 Bioinspired corrugated airfoils for micro air vehicles

Manas Khurana, Javaan Chahl

Proceedings Volume 8686, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2013; 86860X (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009685
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Dragonflies exhibit glide and flapping flight modes using wings composed of corrugated flat plates. It has previously been shown that corrugated airfoils exhibit superior lift-to-drag ratios over conventional airfoils at Reynolds numbers of 8,000. The literature also shows a significant sensitivity of aerodynamic performance with Reynolds number and flight condition. These sensitivities may mean that the corrugations are a compromise between structural and aerodynamic characteristics due to their stiffening effect. We consider the effect at a higher Reynolds number of 34,000 which is close to where our unmanned aircraft with a conventional airfoil currently operates. We compare the aerodynamics of a corrugated geometry, with a flat plate and a conventional low Reynolds number airfoil. The results confirm that surface corrugation of the baseline shape has limited aerodynamic efficiency at low angles-of-attack relative to the flat plate and the Eppler E61 profile. Avenues for further design analysis with eventual focus on shape optimisation is needed to confirm the role of corrugation in sustaining efficient flight modes at an even lower Re and across an extended angle of attack test range.

Citation Download Citation

Manas Khurana and Javaan Chahl "Bioinspired corrugated airfoils for micro air vehicles", Proc. SPIE 8686, Bioinspiration, Biomimetics, and Bioreplication 2013, 86860X (8 April 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009685

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available