Design and Optimization of a Biologically Inspired Flapping Mechanism for Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles

Author

Khan, Zaeem A. ; Agrawal, Sunil K.

Author_Institution

Dept. of Mech. Eng., Delaware Univ., Newark, DE

fYear

2007

fDate

10-14 April 2007

Firstpage

373

Lastpage

378

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate design and performance of a flapping mechanism which generates flapping motion through resonant excitation similar to flight apparatus of insects. The desired flapping motion is based on optimum aerodynamic efficiency. The mechanism is driven by a conventional motor and gearbox. The rotary motion is converted into oscillatory excitation through a four-bar linkage. This study explores the optimal design parameters of this mechanism for peak performance.

Keywords

aerodynamics; aerospace robotics; biomimetics; control system synthesis; microrobots; mobile robots; multivariable control systems; optimal control; robot dynamics; biologically inspired flapping mechanism; flapping motion; flapping wing microair vehicles; four-bar linkage; insects; optimal design; optimum aerodynamic efficiency; oscillatory excitation; resonant excitation; Aerodynamics; Damping; Design optimization; Insects; Mechanical engineering; Oscillators; Resonance; Springs; Thorax; Vehicles;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Robotics and Automation, 2007 IEEE International Conference on

Conference_Location

Roma

ISSN

1050-4729

Print_ISBN

1-4244-0601-3

Electronic_ISBN

1050-4729

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/ROBOT.2007.363815

Filename

4209120