Biomimetic aerodynamics of micro-air vehicles - Aerodynamic force and power requirements in forward flight of insect

High lift mechanisms and power requirements for forward flight in a small insect were studied by the method of computational fluid dynamics. The Navier-Stokes equations were solved numerically. The solution provided the flow velocity and pressure fields, from which the vorticity wake structure and the unsteady aerodynamic forces and moments were obtained, while the inertial torques due to the acceleration of the wing mass were computed analytically. From the flow structure and force information, insight into the unsteady aerodynamic force generation can be gained. Based on the aerodynamic and inertial torques, the mechanical power was obtained and its variation as a function of flight speed was investigated.