Numerical study on the aerodynamic performance of the three-dimensional wing of a jellyfish-like flyer

The jellyfish-like flying machine is a new development direction of the future bionic flapping-wing aircraft besides insect-mimic and bird-mimic micro air vehicles (MAVs). To better understand underlying fluid mechanisms flyer, we numerically simulated aerodynamic forces three-dimensional flapping wings under different control parameters. effects amplitude, vortex wake, up-flight speed, wing–wing interaction on performance were investigated. results show that, at hovering, mean lift rises rapidly first then tends to be stable with increase in amplitude. wake can improve large amplitudes, while it reduces very small amplitudes. With decreases. However, sources reduction are for When two flap together distance between enough, by about 15% compared that single wing, but much higher power required, resulting lower efficiency. this study provide insights into flight mechanism have important guiding significance design optimization machine.