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Reynolds number and aspect ratio effects on the leading-edge vortex for rotating insect wing planforms

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2013

R. R. Harbig ,
J. Sheridan  and
M. C. Thompson
R. R. Harbig*
Affiliation:
Fluids Laboratory for Aeronautical and Industrial Research (FLAIR), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
J. Sheridan
Affiliation:
Fluids Laboratory for Aeronautical and Industrial Research (FLAIR), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
M. C. Thompson
Affiliation:
Fluids Laboratory for Aeronautical and Industrial Research (FLAIR), Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia
*
†Email address for correspondence: [email protected]
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Abstract

Previous studies investigating the effect of aspect ratio ($\mathit{AR}$) for insect-like regimes have reported seemingly different trends in aerodynamic forces, however no detailed flow observations have been made. In this study, the effect of $\mathit{AR}$ and Reynolds number on the flow structures over insect-like wings is explored using a numerical model of an altered fruit fly wing revolving at a constant angular velocity. Increasing the Reynolds number for an $\mathit{AR}$ of 2.91 resulted in the development of a dual leading-edge vortex (LEV) structure, however increasing $\mathit{AR}$ at a fixed Reynolds number generated the same flow structures. This result shows that the effects of Reynolds number and $\mathit{AR}$ are linked. We present an alternative scaling using wing span as the characteristic length to decouple the effects of Reynolds number from those of $\mathit{AR}$. This results in a span-based Reynolds number, which can be used to independently describe the development of the LEV. Indeed, universal behaviour was found for various parameters using this scaling. The effect of $\mathit{AR}$ on the vortex structures and aerodynamic forces was then assessed at different span-based Reynolds numbers. Scaling the flow using the wing span was found to apply when a strong spanwise velocity is present on the leeward side of the wing and therefore may prove to be useful for similar studies involving flapping or rotating wings at high angles of attack.

JFM classification

Biological Fluid Dynamics: Biological Fluid Dynamics Biological Fluid Dynamics: Swimming/flying
Type
Papers
Information
Journal of Fluid Mechanics , Volume 717 , 25 February 2013 , pp. 166 - 192
Copyright
©2013 Cambridge University Press

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