Aerodynamic Bio-Mimetics of Gliding Dragonflies for Ultra-Light Flying Robot

Akira Obata,Kakeru Suzuki,Kyohei Akimoto,Shotarou Shinohara,Miyuki Seki

doi:10.3390/robotics3020163

Abstract

A detailed investigation including a low-speed flow study is presented on the development of ultra-light dragonfly mimetic flying robots with a focus on the dragonfly’s remarkable gliding capability. It is revealed that the dragonfly’s corrugated wing structure and cruciform configuration provide superior flying characteristics for fixed wing robots in low Reynolds number flight. It was also found that the dragonfly configuration has additional merit in its compatibility with propellers or high lift devices. This combination with such classic aero-engineering makes possible robots with broader flight envelope than conventional fixed-wing flying robots.

Highlights

The remarkable flying capabilities of the dragonfly, its flapping flight, have caught the eye of many scientists, and through the great efforts of leading researchers [1,2], many pioneering inventors are able to develop ultra-small flapping-wing flying robots
In previous work we have shown that dragonflies’ corrugated wings exhibit outstanding lift generation, and superior anti-turbulence characteristics compared to conventional wing profiles developed for low speed flight [8]
As will be explained later, we found that a cruciform configuration in which the forewings have a dihedral angle and the hind wings have an anhedral angle is the most resistant to rolling into sideslip

Summary

Introduction

The remarkable flying capabilities of the dragonfly, its flapping flight, have caught the eye of many scientists, and through the great efforts of leading researchers [1,2], many pioneering inventors are able to develop ultra-small flapping-wing flying robots. Robotics 2014, 3 was successfully developed [3], in spite of researchers efforts [4,5]. The trial of referring to two wings flapping system of humming bird get the crown of ultra-light flapping flying robot development race recently. This is achieved by Aero-Vironment, and the name of this tiny flying robot is called

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion