• Open Access

Inviscid vortex shedding model for the clap and fling motion of insect flights

Sung-Ik Sohn
Phys. Rev. E 98, 033105 – Published 5 September 2018

Abstract

In this paper, we study the clap and fling motion of insect flights by applying an inviscid vortex shedding model. We describe separated vortices from the edges of two wings by vortex sheets and extend the model to the two bodies with symmetry. The model demonstrates sucking of leading edge vortices between the wings in the fling process. Remarkably, leading edge vortices move forward and backward as the wings close and open in the clap and fling process. We also calculate lift and drag coefficients of the wings. The numerical results show that the shedding rates at the edges increase at the rotational and acceleration phases of the fling process, which generate a large lift. When the full clap and fling stroke is taken, lift of the model dramatically increases at the rotational phase, which is much larger than results of Navier-Stokes simulations of low and moderate Reynolds numbers. This result suggests the use of the Weis-Fogh mechanism for larger insects flying at high Reynolds numbers.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
16 More
  • Received 1 January 2018
  • Revised 1 July 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.98.033105

Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI.

Published by the American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Fluid Dynamics

Authors & Affiliations

Sung-Ik Sohn*

  • Department of Mathematics, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung 25457, South Korea and School of Mathematics, Korea Institute for Advanced Study, Seoul 02455, South Korea

  • *sohnsi@gwnu.ac.kr

Article Text

Click to Expand

References

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 3 — September 2018

Reuse & Permissions
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

Reuse & Permissions

It is not necessary to obtain permission to reuse this article or its components as it is available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided attribution to the author(s) and the published article's title, journal citation, and DOI are maintained. Please note that some figures may have been included with permission from other third parties. It is your responsibility to obtain the proper permission from the rights holder directly for these figures.

×

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×