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Lift generation with optimal elastic pitching for a flapping plate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 February 2013

Diing-wen Peng  and
Michele Milano
Diing-wen Peng*
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, 318 Jarvis Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-4400, USA
Michele Milano
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, 318 Jarvis Hall, Buffalo, NY 14260-4400, USA
*
†Email address for correspondence: dpeng2@buffalo.edu
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Abstract

The lift-generating capabilities of a translating and passively pitching rectangular plate are assessed experimentally. The plate pitch dynamics are generated by a rotational spring, and a genetic algorithm isolates a set of spring parameters maximizing the average lift. Our experiments identified a range of parameters that produce kinematic trajectories associated with optimal lift production. The stroke length and the dynamic response of the spring at the driving frequency are revealed to play crucial roles in the generation of such trajectories. Measurements taken with digital particle image velocimetry are used to analyse the results.

JFM classification

Biological Fluid Dynamics: Biological Fluid Dynamics Biological Fluid Dynamics: Swimming/flying
Type
Rapids
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 717 , 25 February 2013 , R1
Copyright
©2013 Cambridge University Press

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