Session: MSNDC-01-02 Computational Methods and Software Tools in Multibody Systems and Nonlinear Dynamics

Paper Number: 74564

Start Time: August 18, 01:00 PM

74564 - Flapping-Wing Aerial Vehicle Dynamics Optimization via Dmoc 

Insect-like flapping-wing vehicle (FWV) concepts have great potential that implies excellent aerial capabilities, like hovering, robustness, great maneuverability, and very efficient flight in low Reynolds number regimes. However, complex multiphysics of flapping-wing systems hinders sufficient progress in the FWV development. The absence of a reliable and computationally efficient optimization tool is a significant part of that problem. To address this, the novel flapping wing optimization algorithm is developed. The algorithm combines Discrete Mechanics and Optimal Control method and quasi-steady aerodynamical model. The algorithm is then applied to minimize the energy consumption of the insect-like flapping-wing aerial vehicle, more precisely, to find the most efficient flapping pattern for hovering. Four types of numerical optimizations were conducted, based on how the flapping frequency is treated and which flapping pattern is used as an initial guess, and all four converged to almost identical solution and achieved better energy efficiency. The results of the numerical experiments prove that this approach to flapping wing vehicle dynamics optimization is efficient, robust and well suited for design optimization numerical algorithms. To this end, presented approach can be utilized in the design campaigns of flying vehicles in completely new environments, as well as for more conventional engineering applications.

Presenting Author: Marko Kasalo University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture

Authors:

Zdravko Terze University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
Viktor Pandža University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
Marko Kasalo University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture
Dario Zlatar University of Zagreb, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture