Kinematic and Aerodynamic Investigation of the Butterfly in Forward Free Flight for the Butterfly-Inspired Flapping Wing Air Vehicle

To ensure the stability of flight, butterfly needs to flap its wings and simultaneously move main body achieve all kinds flying motion, such as taking off, hovering, or reverse flight. The high-speed camera is used record swing abdomen, movement wings, pitch angle for butterflies during their free flight; comprehensive biokinetic observations show that butterfly’s are coupled in various flight states. abdomen fore wing affect motion significantly. For theoretical analysis a three-dimensional multi-rigid model based on real dimension established, aerodynamic simulated analyzed via computational fluid dynamics methods obtain an optimal kinematic forward Moreover, formation development vortex structures also presented. detailed vortices dynamic behavior wing’s abdominal play key role reorienting correcting “clap peel” mechanism, force generation mechanisms evaluated. research indicates longitudinal performance mainly related parameters body, it can lead butterfly-inspired flapping air vehicles.