Hostname: page-component-7dd5485656-wxk4p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-30T23:50:09.645Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Energy requirements for the flight of micro air vehicles

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2016

M. I. Woods ,
J. F. Henderson  and
G. D. Lock
M. I. Woods
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, UK
J. F. Henderson
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, UK
G. D. Lock
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper describes power requirements for micro air vehicles, flying in the Reynolds number regime of -lO*. Three flight modes have been researched: fixed wing, rotary wing and flapping wing. For each mode, the literature in the public domain has been reviewed to obtain appropriate lift and drag coefficient data at these low Reynolds numbers. Energy and power requirements for the three flight modes have been calculated and an optimisation procedure has been utilised to evaluate the most efficient flight mode and configuration for a variety of specified missions. The effect of wind-speed on the optimal solution has been examined. It has been discovered that when there is no hover requirement, fixed wing flight is always most energy efficient for the micro air vehicle. However, if there is a hover requirement, the suitability of flapping or rotary wing flight is dependent on the mission profile and ambient windspeed.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 105 , Issue 1045 , March 2001 , pp. 135 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2001 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

References

1. MeMicHEAL, J.M. and Francis, M.S. Micro air vehicles - toward a new dimension in flight, Unmanned Systems, Summer 1997, pp 10–17.Google Scholar
2. Dornheim, M.A. Several micro air vehicles in flight test programs. Aviation Week ami Space Technology, 12 July 1999, pp 47–48.Google Scholar
3. Tennekes, H. The Simple Science of Flight, 1997, MIT Press, London.Google Scholar
4. Sherwin, K. Man Powered Flight, 1971, MAP Technical Publication.Google Scholar
5. Vest, M.S. and Katz, J. Unsteady aerodynamic model of flapping wings. AiAA J, 1996, 34, pp 1,435–,440.Google Scholar
6. Nachtigall, W. and Wieser, J. Profilmessugen am taubenflugen zeitschrift fur vergleichende physiologic, 1966, 52, (4), pp 333–346.Google Scholar
7. Marchman, J.F. and Sumantrun, V. Control surface effects on the low Reynolds number behaviour of the Wortmann FX 63-137, Paper 11: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
8. Pfenninger, W. and VemukuC,S. C,S. Design of low Reynolds number airfoils: part J Aircr. 1990, 27, (3), pp 204–210.Google Scholar
9. Van Ingen, J.L. and Boermans, L.M.N. Aerodynamics at low Reynolds numbers - a review of theoretical and experimental research at Delft University of Technology, Paper 1: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-l8 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
10. Selig, M.S. and Guguelmo, J.J. High lift low Reynolds number airfoil design. J Aircr. 1997, 34, (1), pp 72–79.Google Scholar
11. Williams, B.R, The calculation of flow about aerofoils at low Reynolds number with application to remotely piloted vehicles. Paper 22, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
12. Liebeck, R.H. Low Reynolds number airfoil design at the Douglas Aircraft Company, Paper 7: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
13. Lighthill, J. Some challenging new applications for basic mathematical methods in the mechanics of fluids that were originally pursued with aeronautical aims. Aeronaut J, Feb 1990, 94, (932), pp 41–52.Google Scholar
14. Lighthill, J. Mathematical Biofluiddynamics, 1975, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.Google Scholar
15. Hanson, P.W. (Ed) Science and technology of low speed motorless flight, NASA CP 2085, 1979.Google Scholar
16. Mueller, T.J. (Ed) Proceedings of the conference on low Reynolds number airfoil aerodynamics, UNDAS-CP-77B123, June 1985, Notre Dame, USA.Google Scholar
17. Mueller, T.J. (Ed) Proceedings of the Conference on Low Reynolds Number Airfoil Aerodynamics, June 1989, Notre Dame, USA, Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
18. RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
19. RTO AVT/VKI, Special Course on Development of UAVs for Military and Civil Applications, 13-17 September 1999, Brussels.Google Scholar
20. Simons, M. The use of wind tunnel data in the design of radio-controlled contest sailplanes. Paper 20: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
21. Harvey, W.D. Low Reynolds number aerodynamics research at NASA Langley Research Center, Paper 19: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986. London.Google Scholar
22. Eppler, R. and Somers, D. Airfoil design for Reynolds numbers between 50,000 and 500,000, Proceedings of the conference on low Reynolds number airfoils, UNDAS-CP-77B123, 1985.Google Scholar
23. Leblanc, , Blackwelder, R. and Liebeck, R. 1989, A comparison between boundary layer measurements in a laminar separation bubble flow and linear stability theory claculations. Proceedings of the Conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 5-7 June 1989, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.Google Scholar
24. Fisher, S.S. and Abbitt, J.D. A smoke wire study of Low Reynolds Row over the NASA LRN(I)-1007 Airfoil, Paper 5, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
25. Gleyzes, C. Cousteix, J. and Bonnet, J.L. 1980, Flow Visualisation of laminar leading edge separation bubbles (long bubble). International symposium on flow visualisation, Bochum, 9-12 Sept 1980Google Scholar
26. Brendel, M. and Mueller, T.J. Boundary layer measurements on an airfoil at low Reynolds number, J Aircr, 1988, 25, (7).Google Scholar
27. Drela, M. LOW Reynolds number airfoil design for the MIT Daedalus prototype: a case study. ,AIAA J, 1988, 25, (8).Google Scholar
28. Drela, M. 1989, X-Foil: An Analysis and design system for low Reynolds number airfoils, Proceedings of the conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 5-7 June 1989, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.Google Scholar
29. Drela, M. and Giles, M.B. Viscous-inviscid analysis of transonic and low Reynolds number airfoils, AIAA J, 1987, 25, (10) pp 1,347–1,355.Google Scholar
30. Azuma, A. and Yasuda, K. Flight performance of rotary seeds, J Exp Biol, 1989, 138, pp 23–54 Google Scholar
31. Bass, R.M. Small scale wind tunnel testing of model propellers, 1986, AIAA-86-0392.Google Scholar
32. Van De Rostyne, A. Website on model helicopters - search also for Pixel, 1998.Google Scholar
33. Owen, D.T., Hurst, D.W. and Methven, P. Wind tunnel testing of small scale pressure tapped model propellers, Paper 21, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
34. Tangler, J. and Somers, D. A Low Reynolds number airfoil family for horizontal axis wind turbines. Paper 24, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
35. Ellington, C.P., Van Den Befg, C. Willmott, A.P. and Thomas, A.L.R. Leading-edge vortices in insect flight. Nature, 1996, 384, pp 626–630.Google Scholar
36. Rayner, J.M. A vortex theory of animal flight. Part 2: The forward flight of birds, J Fluid Mech, 1979, 91, (4), pp 731–763.Google Scholar
37. Pennycuick, C.J. Power requirements for horizontal flight in the pigeon columba livia, J Exp Biot, 1968, 49, pp 527–555.Google Scholar
38. Okamoto, M., Yasuda, K. and Azuma, A. Aerodynamic characteristics of the wings and body of a dragonfly, J Exp Biot, 1996, 199, pp 281–294.Google Scholar
39. Azuma, A. The Biokinetics of Flying and Swimming, 1992, Springer- Verlag, Tokyo.Google Scholar
40. Hall, K.C. and Hall, S.R. Minimum induced power requirements for flapping flight, J Fluid Mech, 1996, 323, pp 285–315.Google Scholar
41. Delaurier, J.D. An aerodynamic model for flapping wing flight, Aeronaut J, April 1993, 97, (964). pp 125–130.Google Scholar
42. Dornheim, M.A. New technology overcoming hurdles of energy storage and autonomous flight in micro air vehicles. Aviation Week and Space Technology, 8 June 1998, pp 42–48.Google Scholar
43. Newman, S. The Foundations of Helicopter Flight, 1994, Edward Arnold, London.Google Scholar
44. Azuma, A. and Watanabe, T. Flight performance of a dragonfly, J Exp Biol, 1988, 137, pp 221–252.Google Scholar
45. Ellington, C.P. Insect flight and micro-air-vehicles. J Exp Bivl 1999, 202, pp 3,439–3,448.Google Scholar
46. Torenbeek, E. Synthesis of Subsonic Airplane Design, 1982, Delft University Press.Google Scholar
47. Eppler, R. Paper 12. RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aero dynamics, l5-18October 1986, London.Google Scholar
48. Liu, H.-T. Paper 9, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar

References

1. MeMicHEAL, J.M. and Francis, M.S. Micro air vehicles - toward a new dimension in flight, Unmanned Systems, Summer 1997, pp 10–17.Google Scholar
2. Dornheim, M.A. Several micro air vehicles in flight test programs. Aviation Week ami Space Technology, 12 July 1999, pp 47–48.Google Scholar
3. Tennekes, H. The Simple Science of Flight, 1997, MIT Press, London.Google Scholar
4. Sherwin, K. Man Powered Flight, 1971, MAP Technical Publication.Google Scholar
5. Vest, M.S. and Katz, J. Unsteady aerodynamic model of flapping wings. AiAA J, 1996, 34, pp 1,435–1,440.Google Scholar
6. Nachtigall, W. and Wieser, J. Profilmessugen am taubenflugen zeitschrift fur vergleichende physiologic, 1966, 52, (4), pp 333–346.Google Scholar
7. Marchman, J.F. and Sumantrun, V. Control surface effects on the low Reynolds number behaviour of the Wortmann FX 63-137, Paper 11: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
8. Pfenninger, W. and VemukuC,S. C,S. Design of low Reynolds number airfoils: part J Aircr. 1990, 27, (3), pp 204–210.Google Scholar
9. Van Ingen, J.L. and Boermans, L.M.N. Aerodynamics at low Reynolds numbers - a review of theoretical and experimental research at Delft University of Technology, Paper 1: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-l8 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
10. Selig, M.S. and Guguelmo, J.J. High lift low Reynolds number airfoil design. J Aircr. 1997, 34, (1), pp 72–79.Google Scholar
11. Williams, B.R, The calculation of flow about aerofoils at low Reynolds number with application to remotely piloted vehicles. Paper 22, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
12. Liebeck, R.H. Low Reynolds number airfoil design at the Douglas Aircraft Company, Paper 7: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
13. Lighthill, J. Some challenging new applications for basic mathematical methods in the mechanics of fluids that were originally pursued with aeronautical aims. Aeronaut J, Feb 1990, 94, (932), pp 41–52.Google Scholar
14. Lighthill, J. Mathematical Biofluiddynamics, 1975, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics.Google Scholar
15. Hanson, P.W. (Ed) Science and technology of low speed motorless flight, NASA CP 2085, 1979.Google Scholar
16. Mueller, T.J. (Ed) Proceedings of the conference on low Reynolds number airfoil aerodynamics, UNDAS-CP-77B123, June 1985, Notre Dame, USA.Google Scholar
17. Mueller, T.J. (Ed) Proceedings of the Conference on Low Reynolds Number Airfoil Aerodynamics, June 1989, Notre Dame, USA, Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
18. RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
19. RTO AVT/VKI, Special Course on Development of UAVs for Military and Civil Applications, 13-17 September 1999, Brussels.Google Scholar
20. Simons, M. The use of wind tunnel data in the design of radio-controlled contest sailplanes. Paper 20: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
21. Harvey, W.D. Low Reynolds number aerodynamics research at NASA Langley Research Center, Paper 19: RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986. London.Google Scholar
22. Eppler, R. and Somers, D. Airfoil design for Reynolds numbers between 50,000 and 500,000, Proceedings of the conference on low Reynolds number airfoils, UNDAS-CP-77B123, 1985.Google Scholar
23. Leblanc, , Blackwelder, R. and Liebeck, R. 1989, A comparison between boundary layer measurements in a laminar separation bubble flow and linear stability theory claculations. Proceedings of the Conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 5-7 June 1989, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.Google Scholar
24. Fisher, S.S. and Abbitt, J.D. A smoke wire study of Low Reynolds Row over the NASA LRN(I)-1007 Airfoil, Paper 5, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
25. Gleyzes, C. Cousteix, J. and Bonnet, J.L. 1980, Flow Visualisation of laminar leading edge separation bubbles (long bubble). International symposium on flow visualisation, Bochum, 9-12 Sept 1980Google Scholar
26. Brendel, M. and Mueller, T.J. Boundary layer measurements on an airfoil at low Reynolds number, J Aircr, 1988, 25, (7).Google Scholar
27. Drela, M. LOW Reynolds number airfoil design for the MIT Daedalus prototype: a case study. ,AIAA J, 1988, 25, (8).Google Scholar
28. Drela, M. 1989, X-Foil: An Analysis and design system for low Reynolds number airfoils, Proceedings of the conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 5-7 June 1989, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.Google Scholar
29. Drela, M. and Giles, M.B. Viscous-inviscid analysis of transonic and low Reynolds number airfoils, AIAA J, 1987, 25, (10) pp 1,347–1,355.Google Scholar
30. Azuma, A. and Yasuda, K. Flight performance of rotary seeds, J Exp Biol, 1989, 138, pp 23–54 Google Scholar
31. Bass, R.M. Small scale wind tunnel testing of model propellers, 1986, AIAA-86-0392.Google Scholar
32. Van De Rostyne, A. Website on model helicopters - search also for Pixel, 1998.Google Scholar
33. Owen, D.T., Hurst, D.W. and Methven, P. Wind tunnel testing of small scale pressure tapped model propellers, Paper 21, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
34. Tangler, J. and Somers, D. A Low Reynolds number airfoil family for horizontal axis wind turbines. Paper 24, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar
35. Ellington, C.P., Van Den Befg, C. Willmott, A.P. and Thomas, A.L.R. Leading-edge vortices in insect flight. Nature, 1996, 384, pp 626–630.Google Scholar
36. Rayner, J.M. A vortex theory of animal flight. Part 2: The forward flight of birds, J Fluid Mech, 1979, 91, (4), pp 731–763.Google Scholar
37. Pennycuick, C.J. Power requirements for horizontal flight in the pigeon columba livia, J Exp Biot, 1968, 49, pp 527–555.Google Scholar
38. Okamoto, M., Yasuda, K. and Azuma, A. Aerodynamic characteristics of the wings and body of a dragonfly, J Exp Biot, 1996, 199, pp 281–294.Google Scholar
39. Azuma, A. The Biokinetics of Flying and Swimming, 1992, Springer- Verlag, Tokyo.Google Scholar
40. Hall, K.C. and Hall, S.R. Minimum induced power requirements for flapping flight, J Fluid Mech, 1996, 323, pp 285–315.Google Scholar
41. Delaurier, J.D. An aerodynamic model for flapping wing flight, Aeronaut J, April 1993, 97, (964). pp 125–130.Google Scholar
42. Dornheim, M.A. New technology overcoming hurdles of energy storage and autonomous flight in micro air vehicles. Aviation Week and Space Technology, 8 June 1998, pp 42–48.Google Scholar
43. Newman, S. The Foundations of Helicopter Flight, 1994, Edward Arnold, London.Google Scholar
44. Azuma, A. and Watanabe, T. Flight performance of a dragonfly, J Exp Biol, 1988, 137, pp 221–252.Google Scholar
45. Ellington, C.P. Insect flight and micro-air-vehicles. J Exp Bivl 1999, 202, pp 3,439–3,448.Google Scholar
46. Torenbeek, E. Synthesis of Subsonic Airplane Design, 1982, Delft University Press.Google Scholar
47. Eppler, R. Paper 12. RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aero dynamics, l5-18October 1986, London.Google Scholar
48. Liu, H.-T. Paper 9, RAeS conference on low Reynolds number aerodynamics, 15-18 October 1986, London.Google Scholar