Correlation analysis of combined and separated effects of wing deformation and support system in the CAE-AVM study

The Chinese Aeronautical Establishment（CAE） Aerodynamic Validation Model（AVM）is a dual-purpose test geometry dedicated to verify the aerodynamic performance of a conceptual intercontinental jet aircraft and to provide a dataset for CFD software validation. To this end, a scaled model of the AVM was tested in the High-Speed Tunnel（HST） of the German-Dutch Wind-tunnels（DNW） with special test consideration and instrumentation. For complementary analysis of experimental results, specific CAE-AVM geometries are analyzed using a CAE inhouse CFD code. The specific geometries consist of a baseline aircraft, an aircraft with a deformed wing shape, and an aircraft with both a deformed wing shape and a representation of the model support system used in the wind tunnel. Detailed analysis of numerical and experimental results is presented; both the combined and individual attributions of wing deformation and support system interference on wing pressure distributions and longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics are summarized.

Computational study of wing deformation and sting interference effects with the CAE-AVM test case

A modern transonic computational fluid dynamics test case is described in this paper,which is the Aerodynamic Validation Model（AVM） from the Chinese Aeronautical Establishment（CAE）. The CAE-AVM is a representation of a modern transonic business jet aircraft with a design Mach number of 0.85. Numerical simulations for the AVM are conducted for two geometries： one baseline geometry, and one geometry that includes the applied model support system of the wind tunnel as well as the deformed wing shape that occurred during wind tunnel testing. The combined influence of wing deformation and model support interference on local and integral aerodynamic features is presented. Comparisons between CFD and experimental results are made; reasons of discrepancy between results from considered cases are analyzed.

Effects of unsteady deformation of flapping wing on its aerodynamic forces

Effects of unsteady deformation of a＇flapping model insect wing on its aerodynamic force production are studied by solving the Navier-Stokes equations on a dynamically deforming grid. Aerodynamic forces on the flapping wing are not much affected by considerable twist, but affected by camber deformation. The effect of combined camber and twist deformation is similar to that of camber deformation. With a deformation of 6% camber and 20% twist （typical values observed for wings of many insects）, lift is increased by 10% - 20% and lift-to-drag ratio by around 10% compared with the case of a rigid fiat-plate wing. As a result, the deformation can increase the maximum lift coefficient of an insect, and reduce its power requirement for flight. For example, for a hovering bumblebee with dynamically deforming wings （6% camber and 20% twist）, aerodynamic power required is reduced by about 16% compared with the case of rigid wings.

Application and Improvements of the Wing Deformation Capture with Simulation for Flapping Micro Aerial Vehicle

Wing deformation capture with simulation is a mixed experimental-numerical approach whereby the wing deformation during flapping is captured using high-speed cameras and used as an input for the numerical solver.This is an alternative approach compared to pure experiment or full fluid structure interaction simulation.This study is an update to the previous paper by Tay et al.,which aims to address the previous limitations.We show through thrust and vorticity contour plots that this approach can simulate Flapping Micro Aerial Vehiclex(FMAVs)with reasonable accuracy.Next,we use this approach to explain the thrust improvement when an additional rib is added to the original membrane wing,which is due to longer duration for the new wing to open during the fling stage.Lastly,by decreasing the number of points and frames per cycle on the wing,we can simplify and shorten the digitization process.These results show that this approach is an accurate and practical alternative which can be applied to general bio-inspired research.

Impact Dynamics of a Dragonfly Wing

The lift force was reported not to be high enough to support the dragonfly’s weight during flight in some conventional investigations,and higher lift force is required for its takeoff.In this study,by employing a thin plate model,impact effect is investigated for the wing deformation in dragonfly flapping during takeoff.The static displacement is formulated to compare with the dynamical displacement caused by impact.The governing equation of motion for the impact dynamics of a dragonfly wing is derived based on Newton’s second law.Separation of variables technique and assumed modes method are introduced to solve the resulting equations.Further,lift force is presented for the cases of considering and without considering the impact on the wing flapping which indicates that the impact has prominent effects for the dragonfly’s aerodynamic performance.Numerical simulations demonstrate that considering the impact effect on the wing flapping can increase the wing deformation,which results in the rise of the lift force.The enhanced lift force is of critical importance for the dragonfly’s takeoff.

Effects of 3-D deformation of elastic wings on aerodynamic performance of an aircraft model

The wind tunnel experiment is conducted on a simplified aircraft model with rigid and two kinds of elastic wings to investigate the effect of wing 3-D deformation on the aircraft aerodynamic performance.The results show that two elastic wings exhibit different aerodynamic performances,which are classified as the lift-enhancement wing and the drag-reduction wing.For the liftenhancement wing,the stall angle is delayed from 8°to 15°with a corresponding lift increment of 64.3%compared with the rigid wing.It is shown that the lift enhancement of the aircraft model is accompanied by the torsional vibration mode of the wing,which results in the significant improvement of wing circulation.For the drag-reduction wing,the aerodynamic performance is dominated by the time-averaged deformation,which couples the bending and twisting.The wing twist reduces the effective angle of attack,as well as the frontal area,and contributes to the decreased wake deficit.Meantime,the bent wings function as barriers to the cross flow resulting in a reduction of lift-induced drag.As a result,the drag coefficient is reduced from 0.115 to 0.098 with a reduction of 14.8%at angle of attack of 12°.

High-accuracy 3-D deformation measurement method with an improved structured-light principle

In this paper,a high-accuracy 3-D deformation measurement(HADM)method with structured light is proposed and applied to wing deformation measurement in wind tunnel experiments.The present method employs an arbitrarily arranged fringe projector and a perpendicularly placed camera.The exact phase-height mapping using the phase differences of the projected sinusoidal fringe patterns,as well as the spatial distribution of the fringe,is accurately derived.It not only presents high feasibility but also reduces systemic uncertainties arising from deviations between the ideal model and the real-world conditions.Meanwhile,a dynamic boundary process algorithm is proposed to reduce the measurement uncertainty caused by fringe fracture near the object boundary.It is calibrated that a high accuracy with the average measurement uncertainty of 0.0237 mm is achieved,which is less than 0.01%of the side length of 25 cm of the field of view.In the wind tunnel experiments,the 3-D deformations of the elastic wing,particularly the key geometric parameters such as wing tip position,angle of attack,and dihedral angle,are well reconstructed to provide an in-depth explanation for the aerodynamic characteristics.

Flexible Wing Kinematics of a Free-Flying Beetle （Rhinoceros Beetle Trypoxylus Dichotomus）

Detailed 3-Dimensional （3D） wing kinematics was experimentally presented in free flight of a beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus, which has a pair of elytra （forewings） and flexible hind wings. The kinematic parameters such as the wing tip trajectory, angle of attack and camber deformation were obtained from a 3D reconstruction technique that involves the use of two synchronized high-speed cameras to digitize various points marked on the wings. Our data showed outstanding characteristics of deformation and flexibility of the beetle＇s hind wing compared with other measured insects, especially in the chordwise and spanwise directions during flapping motion. The hind wing produced 16% maximum positive camber deformation during the downstroke. It also experienced twisted shape showing large variation of the angle of attack from the root to the tip during the upstroke.

Distribution and variability of deformed wing virus of honeybees （Apis mellifera） in the Middle East and North Africa

Three hundred and eleven honeybee samples from 12 countries in the Middle East and North Africa （MENA） （Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Yemen, Palestine, and Sudan） were analyzed for the presence of deformed wing virus （DWV）. The prevalence of DWV throughout the MENA region was pervasive, but variable. The highest prevalence was found in Lebanon and Syria, with prevalence dropping in Palestine, Jordan, and Egypt before increasing slightly moving westwards to Algeria and Morocco Phylogenetic analysis of a 194 nucleotide section of the DWV Lp gene did not identify any significant phylogenetic resolution among the samples, although the sequences did show consistent regional clustering, including an interesting geographic gradient from Morocco through North Africa to Jordan and Syria. The sequences revealed several clear variability hotspots in the deduced amino acid sequence, which furthermore showed some patterns of regional identity. Furthermore, the sequence variants from the Middle East and North Africa appear more numerous and diverse than those from Europe.

Research on Gliding Aerodynamic Effect of Deformable Membrane Wing for a Robotic Flying Squirrel

Inspired by creatures with membrane to obtain ultra-high gliding ability, this paper presents a robotic flying squirrel （a novel gliding robot） characterized as membrane wing and active membrane deformation. For deep understanding of membrane wing and gliding mechanism from a robotic system perspective, a simplified blocking aerodynamic model of the deformable membrane wing and CFD simulation are finished. In addition, a physical prototype is developed and wind tunnel experiments are carried out. The results show that the proposed membrane wing is able to support the gliding action of the robot. Meanwhile, factors including geometry characteristics, material property and wind speed are considered in the experiments to investigate the aerodynamic effects of the deformable membrane wing deeply. As a typical characteristic of robotic flying squirrel, deformation modes of the membrane wing not only affect the gliding ability, but also directly determine the effects of the posture adjustment. Moreover, different deformation modes of membrane wing are illustrated to explore the possible effects of active membrane deformation on the gliding performance. The results indicate that the deformation modes have a significant impact on posture adjustment, which reinforces the rationality of flying squirrel＇s gliding strategy and provides valuable information on prototype optimal design and control strategy in the actual gliding process.

Effects of Imidacloprid and Varroa destructor on survival and health of European honey bees, Apis mellifera

There has been growing concern over declines in populations of honey bees and other pollinators which are a vital part to our food security. It is imperative to identify factors responsible for accelerated declines in bee populations and develop solutions for reversing bee losses. While exact causes of colony losses remain elusive, risk factors thought to play key roles are ectoparasitic mites Varroa destructor and neonicotinoid pesticides. The present study aims to investigate effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide Imidacloprid and Varroa mites individually on survivorship, growth, physiology, virus dynamics and immunity of honey bee workers. Our study provides clear evidence that the exposure to sublethal doses of Imidacloprid could exert a significantly negative effect on health and survival of honey bees. We observed a significant reduction in the titer ofvitellogenin （Vg）, an egg yolk precursor that regulates the honey bees development and behavior and often are linked to energy homeostasis, in bees exposed to lmidacloprid. This result indicates that sublethal exposure to neonicotinoid could lead to increased energy usage in honey bees as detoxification is a energy-consuming metabolic process and suggests that Vg could be a useful biomarker for measuring levels of energy stress and sublethal effects of pesticides on honey bees. Measurement of the quantitative effects of different levels of Varroa mite infestation on the replication dynamic of Deformed wing virus （DWV）, an RNA virus associated with Varroa infestation, and expression level of immune genes yields unique insights into how honey bees respond to stressors under laboratory conditions.