Date of Award
6-2009
Document Type
Union College Only
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science
Department
Mechanical Engineering
First Advisor
William Keat
Language
English
Keywords
model, prototype, flying, project, scaled
Abstract
The goal this project was to create a scaled model of a flapping wing aerial vehicle. The design was initially based on a remote controlled model available at many toy stores. This model was in the form of a dragonfly but about four times the size in each dimension. My project was to scale this down, ideally to the size of a real dragonfly. This however was difficult, and a half scaled prototype (twice life size) was constructed instead. Scaling was done using dimensionless fluid parameters such as the Reynolds and Strouhal numbers which effectively related the various properties of each model. Testing and modification of the prototype were carried out, and in the process an analytical model was made to model the dynamics. Although still not flying, the prototype will hopefully soon be ready for testing against the theory. In the future, more testing will be completed, and minor modifications made to get the scaled prototype flying. All of this is part of a larger goal to miniaturize a flapping flying robot of which this project is only a part.
Recommended Citation
Lingane, Patrick James, "The design and fabrication of a micro mechanical dragonfly" (2009). Honors Theses. 1341.
https://digitalworks.union.edu/theses/1341