Dipteran-insect-inspired thoracic mechanism with nonlinear stiffness to save inertial power of flapping-wing flight

• Main Authors: Lau, Gih-Keong, Chin, Yao-Wei, Goh, Joel Tian-Wei, Wood, Robert J.
• Other Authors: School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Aeronautical engineering::Aerodynamics
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/106240; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/23951
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

This paper presents the design, analysis, and characterization of a compliant thoracic mechanism that saves inertial power for flapping-wing micro air vehicles. Lightweight polyimide film hinges were previously integrated into a compliant flapping-wing mechanism to reduce friction. However, these we...