Simulation and Experiment for Rigid and Flexible Wings of Flapping-wing Microrobots

In this paper, an insect-based flapping-wing flying microrobot was built which can successfully fly in the sky. The unsteady aerodynamics associated with this microrobot was studied by using the method of computational fluid dynamics (CFD). On the basis of numerical simulation, the Fluid-Structure coupling mechanics for flexible flapping-wings were studied and discussed. According to the practically developed flapping-wing microrobot, a 2-D simulation model for flexible flapping-wings was established. Fluid-Structure coupling deformation and the effects of this model on the aero dynamic performance were analyzed, which have offered a theoretical basis for design of the aircraft with flexible flapping-wing. In order to verify the results of numerical simulation, aerodynamic performance tests have been conducted for the rigid and flexible flapping-wings in a low turbulence and low Reynolds number wind tunnel.