Force Generation Mechanisms by an Insect Wing in Hovering Motion with Different Flipping Schedules

The aerodynamic force and the flow structure of a wing performing hovering motion at small Reynolds number (Re=4000) is calculated by computationally solving the 3D NavierStokes equations. The computations are performed for the hovering motion which consists of stroke 1, followed by the flipping motion for reversing the direction and then the stroke 2 (similar to stroke 1 but in the opposite direction). The intent of the study is to research the effects of different scheduling of the flip motion between the two strokes. At Re=4000, the delayed stall mechanism is noted during the azimuth rotation of a wing with a high value of CL due to stabilized Leading Edge Vortex. The lift contribution during the flip (pitch rotation for reversing the direction) for the complete stroke is not substantial. During a stroke, the wing encountered the wake from the previous stroke in which, the wake does not contribute positively.