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An experimental investigation of the geometric characteristics of flapping-wing propulsion for a micro-air vehicle

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / The geometric characteristics of flapping-wing propulsion are studied experimentally through the use of a force balance and a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) system. The system used is built to duplicate the propulsion system currently on the flying model of the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) MAV model. Experiments are carried out in a low speed wind tunnel to determine the effects of mean separation and plunge amplitude on the flapping wing propulsion system. Additionally, the effects of flapping-wing shape, flapping frequency, and MAV angle of attack (AOA) are also investigated. Some flow visualization is also performed. The intent is to optimize the system so that payload and controllability improvements can be made to the NPS MAV. / Ensign, United States Naval Reserve

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:nps.edu/oai:calhoun.nps.edu:10945/936
Date06 1900
CreatorsPapadopoulos, Jason N.
ContributorsJones, Kevin, Platzer, Max, Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.), Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
PublisherMonterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Source SetsNaval Postgraduate School
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Formatxii, 75 p. : ill. (chiefly col.), application/pdf
RightsThis publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. As such, it is in the public domain, and under the provisions of Title 17, United States Code, Section 105, may not be copyrighted.

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