Abstract
This study investigates the relationship between wing structure and the production of aerodynamic forces for flapping flight, by measuring both the wing deformation and loads during flapping. The experimental setup allows data acquisition that correlates lift and thrust generated by an artificial flapper to wing deformation. The mapping between the loads and deformation indicates the performance of flapping wings for disparate structures and materials. Several technical challenges are resolved in this study. For instance, small flapping wings (of three inches span) produce loads and deformations that are difficult to measure. Intensive data analysis is performed to extract useful information from the measurements. A novel flapping mechanism FL2D3 is created to allow actuation frequencies up to 30 Hz. Tests in both air and vacuum are performed to isolate aerodynamic loads from inertial effects. Furthermore, the synchronization of the loads measurement system, the vision-based wing deformation measurement system, and the flapping mechanism is difficult; a virtual instrument is developed with the hardware to realize the experiment.
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