An experimental mechanism of a tandem flapping wing for micro aerial vehicle

Abstract

Micro Aerial Vehicles, otherwise known as MAVs, is defined as an aerial vehicle that has a 15cm or less wingspan with a take off wight of less than 200g. Its miniature size and manoeuvrability allows it to fly in confined space at low Reynolds number flight conditions (100 – 100,000). In this study, an entothopter design inspired by dragonfly wings was investigated using a subsonic wind tunnel to see the effect of tandem wing configuration on the lift generation. The study was done at different flapping frequency (5-11Hz) and at different flight speed (5m/s, 7m/s, and 9m/s). It was observed that in phase flapping configuration produces better lift for all flapping frequency and all flight speed.