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Parameterized Aerodynamic Performance of Bio-inspired Corrugated Wings on Flapping Flight Learned from Microscopy Imaging of Ladybird Beetle Hindwing
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  • Chao Liu,
  • Guodong Chen,
  • Qian Wang,
  • Jiyu Sun,
  • Lining Sun,
  • Kejun Wang
Chao Liu
Soochow University School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
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Guodong Chen
Soochow University School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
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Qian Wang
Soochow University School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
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Jiyu Sun
Jilin University Key Laboratory of Bionic Engineering Ministry of Education
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Lining Sun
Soochow University School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
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Kejun Wang
Soochow University School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Corresponding Author:c.liu1024@outlook.com

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Abstract

Beetle hindwings have two distinct features: the deployable configuration and wing corrugation. At low Reynolds numbers, the corrugated wing of flapping insect wings is considered essential in improving the favorable aerodynamic forces. To further explore whether significant corrugated structure parameterized combination exists has a significant effect on aerodynamic effects, this paper proposes three technical comparison airfoils learned from the microscopy imaging of ladybird beetle hindwing: corrugated hindwings from ladybird beetle Harmonia axyridis (CA models), simplified airfoil with triangular corrugations (TWA models), and a symmetric flat plate wing (FPA model). Based on ANSYS Fluent, this paper numerically solves the Navier-Stokes equations using the fluid-structure interaction method. The results show that (1) the aerodynamic performance of the corrugated section (AP1) is the optimal among CA models. The higher the frequency, the higher the lift coefficient, which is related to the vein distribution of models. (2) The pressure difference of different corrugation patterns shows significantly asymmetric during the upstroke and downstroke. The leading-edge vortex (LEV) of AP1 is more captured with the increase of frequency than AP2 and AP3. (3) Potentially critical parameters for aerodynamic performance, such as number and angle of the corrugations as well as the flapping frequencies, have been evaluated and discussed. Based on these results, 2D ‘simplified’ airfoil models with triangular corrugations (TWA models) were designed which simulated the optimum aerodynamic characteristics.