Insectlike Flapping Wings in the Hover Part 2: Effect of Wing Geometry

The aerodynamic design of a flapping-wing micro air vehicle requires a careful study of the wing design space to ascertain the best combination of parameters. A nonlinear unsteady aerodynamic model developed by the authors is used to make such a study for hovering insectlike flapping wings. The work is characterized, in particular, by the insights it provides into flapping-wing flows and the use of these insights for aerodynamic design. The effects of wing geometry on the aerodynamic performance of such flapping wings are investigated by comparing the influence on a number of synthetic planform shapes while varying only one parameter at a time. Best performance appears to be for wing shapes that have nearly straight leading edges and more area outboard, where flow velocities are higher. Other important trends are also identified and practical considerations are noted. When possible, comparisons are also drawn with quasi-steady expectations and discrepancies are explained.