Three-Dimensional Topologies of Compliant Flapping Mechanisms
Publication: Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper outlines the use of a three-dimensional topology optimization scheme for the conceptual design of compliant flapping micro air vehicle mechanisms. Each trilinear finite element within the design domain is assigned to a density variable that smoothly interpolates between 0 (void) and 1 (solid), using a well-known methodology. A mechanism topology is found that converts a series of sinusoidal actuation point loads along the lower surface into a dynamic structural deformation, which in turn provides the desired flapping kinematics. Specifically, a mechanism is desired that can independently control more than one flapping rotation (i.e., flapping and feathering) at the same time.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
This work is sponsored by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under Laboratory Tasks 09RB01COR (monitored by Dr. Doug Smith) and 03VA01COR (monitored by Dr. FaribaFahroo).
References
Bendsøe, M., and Sigmund, O. (2003). Topology optimization, Springer, Berlin.
Hsu, M., and Hsu, Y. (2005). “Interpreting three-dimensional structural topology optimization results.” Comput. Struct., 83(4–5), 327–337.
Khatait, J., Mukherjee, S., and Seth, B. (2006). “Compliant design for flapping mechanism: A minimum torque approach.” Mech. Mach. Theor., 41(1), 3–16.
Platzer, M., Jones, K., Young, J., and Lai, J. (2008). “Flapping wing aerodynamics: Progress and challenges.” AIAA J., 46(9), 2136–2149.
Raney, D., and Slominski, E. (2004). “Mechanization and control concepts for biologically inspired micro air vehicles.” J. Aircr., 41(6), 1257–1265.
Stanford, B., and Beran, P. (2011). “Conceptual design of compliant flapping mechanisms for flapping wings with topology optimization.” AIAA J., 49(4), 855–867.
Stanford, B., and Beran, P. (2012). “Optimal compliant flapping mechanism topologies with multiple load cases.” J. Mech. Des., 134(5), 051007.
Stanford, B., Beran, P., and Patil, M. (2013). “Optimal flapping-wing vehicle dynamics via floquet multiplier sensitivities.” J. Guid. Contr. Dyn., 36(2), 454–466.
Svanberg, K. (1987). “The method of moving asymptotes—A new method for structural optimization.” Int. J. Numer. Methods Eng., 24(2), 359–373.
Tang, P., and Chang, K. (2001). “Integration of topology and shape optimization for design of structural components.” Struct. Multidiscip. Optim., 22(1), 65–82.
Tantanawat, T., and Kota, S. (2007). “Design of compliant mechanisms for minimizing input power in dynamic applications.” J. Mech. Des., 129(10), 1064–1075.
Whitney, J., and Wood, R. (2010). “Aeromechanics of passive rotation in flapping flight.” J. Fluid Mech., 660, 97–220.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 4 • July 2014
Copyright
© 2014 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 10, 2012
Accepted: Apr 12, 2013
Published online: Apr 13, 2013
Published in print: Jul 1, 2014
Discussion open until: Sep 17, 2014
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.