Remant Micro-inspired drone of insects

Onera has been studying the feasibility of a 2002 micro-theft device which is inspired by that of insects. As part of the project Remant, research was conducted in key disciplines (aerodynamics, mechanics, flight dynamics) to observe, understand and represent the phenomena involved

New models have been developed and simulation tools have been developed to define control laws. Also, thoughts on the actuation system led to the development and implementation of a mechanism for setting a pair of flapping wings to reduce energy costs.

The aim is eventually to be able to carry out missions of observation and intelligence may be confined urban (indoor), with shots from onboard sensors.

Microdrone a swing-wing, about fifteen inches of span, is expected to have adequate flight performance (fast forward flight, hover stabilized), with greater autonomy from a helicopter of similar size.

 

The actuation system is inspired by the wings of the thorax of insects. It consists of a curved structure shaped pitch, linked to a 
named tergum preload plate, on which are fixed wings.

A layer of electro-strictifs materials can bend the pitch by two branches of the bimetallic effect. The tergum is then subjected to a buckling that leads him to oscillate between two positions (high and low). The wings are flapping and set at a frequency directly dependent on the electrical signal sent to the electrostrictive materials.

The whole behaves as a resonant cavity with its natural frequency. Thus, it is possible to obtain large beat amplitudes at high frequencies close to resonance, then the movement can be maintained from a small amount of energy.

Control of aerodynamic phenomena is essential to understand and implement the flapping flight. Several experimental campaigns of measurements and flow visualization were conducted for several years to establish empirical models. Numerical models are also being considered.

A complete simulation appointed OSCAB was also développé.Les kinematics of the wing were able to be optimized to generate the aerodynamic forces required for propulsion and levitation of microdrone.

The search for control laws using innovative methods (genetic algorithms, neural networks) is expected to soon reach the expected performance (driving speed, hovering stable, maneuverability).

----->>>> courtesy  ONERA,France.