The thin jet model applied by Spence to the study of the jet flap is combined with the vortex sheet model applied by Mangler and Smith to the study of leading-edge separation, to study the effect of blowing from the leading-edges of a cambered wing. The numerical techniques used to solve problems of leading-edge separation have been improved, and in the present investigation solutions have been...

Wind tunnel tests conducted on a model based on the long-eared bat Plecotus auritus indicated that the positioning of the tail membrane (uropatagium) can significantly influence flight control. Adjusting tail position by increasing the angle of the legs ventrally relative to the body has a two-fold effect; increasing leg-induced wing camber (i.e., locally increased camber of the inner wing surf...

The roll center is one of the key parameters for designing a suspension. Several driving characteristics are affected significantly by the migration of the roll center during the suspension’s motion. The strut/SLA (strut/short-long-arm) suspension, which is widely used in production cars, combines the space-saving characteristics of a MacPherson strut suspension with some of the preferred handl...

Flexible aerodynamic surfaces have been shown to favorably influence flight characteristics by increasing lift, angle of attack at stall, and resistance to perturbation. The objective of the research presented within this thesis is to investigate the influence of two aspects of flight observed in biological flyers, a suction-surface flap and dynamic stall, when applied to pliant wings. A rigid ...

Here, we present a suite of photogrammetric methods for reconstructing insect wing kinematics, to provide instantaneous topographic maps of the wing surface. We filmed tethered locusts (Schistocerca gregaria) and free-flying hoverflies (Eristalis tenax) using four high-speed digital video cameras. We digitized multiple natural features and marked points on the wings using manual and automated t...

Insect wings demonstrate elaborate three-dimensional deformations and kinematics. These deformations are key to understanding many aspects of insect flight including aerodynamics, structural dynamics and control. In this paper, we propose a template-based subdivision surface reconstruction method that is capable of reconstructing the wing deformations and kinematics of free-flying insects based...

Recent work on flapping hawkmoth models has demonstrated the importance of a spiral 'leading-edge vortex' created by dynamic stall, and maintained by some aspect of spanwise flow, for creating the lift required during flight. This study uses propeller models to investigate further the forces acting on model hawkmoth wings in 'propeller-like' rotation ('revolution'). Steadily revolving model haw...

An episodic unsupervised learning algorithm using the Q-Learning method is developed to learn the optimal shape and shape change policy of a morphing airfoil. Optimality is addressed by reward functions based on airfoil properties such as lift coefficient, drag coefficient, and moment coefficient about the leading edge representing optimal shapes for specified flight conditions. The reinforceme...

Abstract This paper presents a new method for the identification of geometric design parameters ISO 484 class propeller blades from scanned point cloud data. The can be used tolerance inspection and in-line measurement manufactured blades, wear assessment reverse engineering propellers in service. geometry is specified by set blade sections stacked radially on concentric cylindrical surfaces. F...