From Oscillating Flat Plate to Maneuvering Bat Flight – Role of Kinematics, Aerodynamics, and Inertia

With the aim to understand the synergistic roles played by kinematics, aerodynamics, and inertia in flapping wing maneuvers, this thesis first investigates the plunging motion of a simple flat plate as it is a fundamental motion in the kinematics of many flying animals. A wide range of frequency (k) and amplitude (h) is investigated to account for a robust kinematic characterization in the form of plunge velocity (kh). Leading Edge Vortices (LEVs) are found to be responsible for producing thrust while Trailing Edge Vortices (TEVs) produce drag. The vortex dynamics becomes nonlinear for higher kh and three main vortex-vortex interactions (VVI) are identified in the flow-field. To estimate the sole effect of LEVs on thrust coefficient, TEVs are eliminated by introducing a splitter plate. This resulted in reduced non-linearity in VVI and facilitated a parametrization of aerodynamic thrust coefficient with key kinematic features, frequency (k) and amplitude (h) [C_T= A.k^1.4 h-B where A and B are constants]. This is followed by investigating the more direct problem of bio-inspired MAV research – the interplay of kinematics, aerodynamics, and inertia on maneuvering bat flights. At first, an ascending right turn of a H. pratti bat is investigated to elucidate on the kinematic features and aerodynamic mechanisms used to effectuate the maneuver. Deceleration in flight speed, an increase in flapping frequency, shortening of the upstroke, and thrust generation at the end of the upstroke is observed during this maneuver. The turn is initiated by the synergisytic implementation of roll and yaw rotation where the turning moments are generated by drawing the inside wing closer to the body, by introducing phase lags in force generation between the two wings and by redirecting force production to the outer part of the wing outside of the turn. Upon comparison with a similar maneuver by a H. armiger bat, some commonalities as well as differences were observed. This analysis was followed by a comparative study among different maneuvering flights (a straight flight, two ascending right turns, and a U-turn) in order to establish the complete motion dynamics of a maneuver in action. The individual effects of aerodynamics and wing inertia for maneuvering flights of a H. armiger and H. pratti are investigated. It is found that for both, translation and rotation the overall trajectory trend is mostly driven by the aerodynamic forces and moments, whereas inertial effects drive the intricate intra-cycle fluctuations as well as the vertical velocity and altitude gain during ascent. Additionally, inertial moments play a dominant role for effecting yaw rotations where the importance of the Coriolis and centrifugal moments increase with increasing acuteness of the maneuver, with the largest effect of centrifugal moments being evidenced in the U-turn.