Transient Poststall Aerodynamic Modeling for Extreme Maneuvers in Micro Air Vehicles

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2011

Publication Source

Journal of Aircraft

Abstract

This paper addresses the modeling of transient aerodynamic behavior at angles of attack near and well above stall. These angles of attack are seen in extreme maneuvers of micro air vehicles (in this case, perching), where unsteadiness results from variations in angle of attack, planform changes, or other physical reconfiguration. To study the problem, a mechanized wing concept for a perching micro air vehicle was developed to produce wing rotation to high angles of attack. Wind-tunnel tests were conducted to measure static and dynamic vehicle performance and flight-control parameters.

Test results were compared with a first-order lag model, used to describe the delay in response due to wing rotation, con plod with a simple aerodynamic analysis. Results demonstrate that the first-order lag is effective in capturing unsteady effects due to wing rotation. In situations where three-dimensionality of the flow dominates, a more complex model may be required.

Inclusive pages

403-411

ISBN/ISSN

0021-8669

Comments

Permission documentation is on file.

Publisher

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Volume

48

Issue

2

Peer Reviewed

yes


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