Abstract:
An autonomous flapping wing aerial vehicle can have a vehicle body, a pair of flapping wings, tunable wing hinges, and elastic drive mechanisms. The tunable wing hinges can be coupled to the flapping wings. Each wing hinge can be constructed to deliver a force to a respective one of the flapping wings to alter end points of a stroke thereof. The elastic drive mechanisms can rotate the flapping wings about pivot points to produce the strokes of the flapping wings. The elastic drive mechanism can be driven at or near a resonance thereof. Alterations to the strokes of the flapping wings produced by the combined effect of the tunable wing hinges and the elastic drive mechanisms, operating in parallel, can provide steering control of the aerial vehicle.
Abstract:
A resonance engine is disclosed including: a driver plate, to which is coupled at least one oscillatory transducer; a drive signal generator connected to the oscillatory transducer for excitation thereof; a first spring-mass resonator, having a first natural resonant frequency, with a proximal end attached to the driver plate and a free distal end; and a reaction means attached to the driver plate substantially opposite to the first spring-mass resonator. When the oscillatory transducer is excited by a drive signal from the generator having a component at or close to said natural resonant frequency, the first spring-mass resonator oscillates at resonance, substantially in anti-phase to the driver plate. Small vibrational strains in the oscillatory transducer are converted to large strains of controllable kinematic movements.
Abstract:
A flapping wing driving apparatus includes at least one crank gear capstan rotatably coupled to a crank gear, the at least one crank gear capstan disposed radially offset from a center of rotation of the crank gear; a first wing capstan coupled to a first wing, the first wing capstan having a first variable-radius drive pulley portion; and a first drive linking member configured to drive the first wing capstan, the first drive linking member windably coupled between the first variable-radius drive pulley portion and one of the at least one crank gear capstan; wherein the first wing capstan is configured to non-constantly, angularly rotate responsive to a constant angular rotation of the crank gear.
Abstract:
Heavier-than-air, aircraft having flapping wings, e.g., ornithopters, where angular orientation control is effected by variable differential sweep angles of deflection of the flappable wings in the course of sweep angles of travel and/or the control of variable wing membrane tension.
Abstract:
A micro aviation vehicle is provided which includes a body, a first wing set, a second wing set, an actuator and a power module. The first wing set and the second wing set are disposed on the left and right sides of the body respectively, and are connected with one end of the actuator. A first angle controller and a second angle controller are used to control the swing angle of the first wing set and the swing angle of the second wing set, respectively. The power module draws the actuator through the rotation of a driving gear, and then the first wing set together with the second wing set are associated with the actuator to flap back-and-forth.
Abstract:
A drive assembly for a wing of a micromechanical flying insect. The drive assembly comprises a honey comb structure. A method for flying a micromechanical flying insect comprising moving a wing with a drive assembly having a stiffness to weight ratio greater than about 16×1010 N/mKg.
Abstract translation:用于微机械飞行昆虫机翼的驱动组件。 驱动组件包括蜂巢结构。 一种用于飞行微机械飞行昆虫的方法,包括用具有大于约16×10 10 N / mKg的刚度重量比的驱动组件移动机翼。
Abstract:
A drive assembly for use with a mechanical flying or walking device comprises an articulated member (7) having first and second portions (7a, 7b) arranged such that the portions move relative to each other, and a drive mechanism (9) for imparting motion to the articulated member. The drive mechanism (9) comprises: a drive member for imparting a cyclic motion on the articulated member, and a control member for controlling, in a predetermined manner, the relative position of the first and second portions during each cycle of the cyclic motion of the articulated member. In the case of a mechanical flying device, two such drive assemblies may be provided, the articulated member of each assembly forming a wing.
Abstract:
A compressed air engine and a flying object using the engine are disclosed. The flying object includes the following elements. That is, the compressed air engine includes: a top member 11 provided with an air inlet 16; an upper cylinder 12; a lower cylinder 13; a bottom member 14; an air pipe, for passing of a compressed air; a shuttle 20 for performing up/down movements within a cylinder formed by the upper and lower cylinders; and a pair of pistons 21a and 21b over and under the shuttle respectively. The pair of the wings are symmetrically and pivotally assembled to the shuttle and the lower cylinder through securing shafts so as to perform up/down movements in accordance with the up/down movements of the shuttle. A compressed air container 2 is assembled to the bottom of the bottom member, for storing the compressed air.