Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
560837 Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing 2008 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

We present the development of a small flapping robot for use as an observation system in hazardous environments. An isometric physical model was constructed based on the observations of body and wing motions during takeoff of a butterfly, and we compared the flapping motion of the model with that of a butterfly. A computational model based on the finite-element method is used to analyze the vortex around the wing of the model during takeoff of the constructed robot. Computation results clarify the takeoff mechanism of the model and show the feasibility of a small flying device employing a flapping mechanism.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Computer Science Signal Processing
Authors
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