Award Date

5-2009

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (MSME)

Department

Mechanical Engineering

First Committee Member

Mohamed B. Trabia, Co-Chair

Second Committee Member

Woosoon Yim, Co-Chair

Third Committee Member

Georg Mauer

Fourth Committee Member

Brendan J. O'Toole

Graduate Faculty Representative

Edward Neumann

Number of Pages

161

Abstract

Hummingbirds and some insects exhibit a Figure-8 motion, which allows them to undergo variety of maneuvers including hovering. It is therefore desirable to have flapping wing miniature air vehicles (FWMAV) that can replicate this unique wing motion. In this research, a design of a flapping wing for FWMAV that can mimic Figure-8 motion using a spherical four bar mechanism is presented. To produce Figure-8 motion, the wing is attached to the coupler point of the spherical four bar mechanism and driven by a DC servo motor. For verification of the design, a prototype of the wing and mechanism is fabricated to determine whether the design objectives are met. Additionally, experimental testing is conducted to determine the feasibility of this design with the wing driven at speeds ranging from 2.5 to 12.25 Hz. To determine the aerodynamic coefficients the wing experiences during the Figure-8 cycle, wind tunnel experimentation is conducted. The results show good correlation between the model and experimental testing.

Keywords

Aerodynamics; Micro air vehicles

Disciplines

Aeronautical Vehicles | Mechanical Engineering | Navigation, Guidance, Control and Dynamics | Structures and Materials

File Format

pdf

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

Comments

Signatures have been redacted for privacy and security measures.

Rights

IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

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