Optimum hovering wing planform

Mostafa R A Nabawy; William J Crowther

doi:10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.06.024

Optimum hovering wing planform

J Theor Biol. 2016 Oct 7:406:187-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.06.024. Epub 2016 Jun 18.

Authors

Mostafa R A Nabawy¹, William J Crowther²

Affiliations

¹ School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. Electronic address: mostafa.ahmednabawy@manchester.ac.uk.
² School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK.

PMID: 27329340
DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2016.06.024

Abstract

Theoretical analysis is used to identify the optimum wing planform of a flapping/revolving wing in hover. This solution is of interest as a benchmark to which hovering wing geometries driven by broader multidisciplinary evolutionary or engineering constraints can be compared. Furthermore, useful insights into the aerodynamic performance of untwisted hovering wings are delivered. It is shown that profile power is minimised by using an untwisted elliptical planform whereas induced power is minimised by a more highly tapered planform similar to that of a hummingbird.

Keywords: Aerodynamics; Elliptic wing; Flapping wings; Hummingbird; Insect flight; Revolving wings.

MeSH terms

Animals
Birds / physiology*
Flight, Animal / physiology*
Models, Biological
Wings, Animal / physiology*