Active lift inversion process of heaving wing in uniform flow by temporal change of wing kinematics

TL;DR

This study numerically investigates how changing the wing's flapping frequency over time can invert the vortex pattern and lift direction in a heaving wing, inspired by insect flight maneuvers.

Contribution

It reveals the mechanism of lift and vortex pattern inversion through temporal frequency modulation, highlighting the role of vortex transfer and phase conditions.

Findings

Frequency reduction causes vortex and lift inversion.

Inversion depends on initial phase and timing of frequency change.

Leading-edge vortex transfer triggers vortex pattern reversal.

Abstract

The transition of the vortex pattern and the lift generated by a heaving wing in a uniform flow was investigated numerically. Motivated by insects' flight maneuverability, we studied the relationship between a temporal change in the heaving wing motion and the change in the global vortex pattern. At a Strouhal number that generates an asymmetric vortex pattern, we found that temporal angular frequency reduction causes inversion of both the global vortex pattern and the lift sign. The inversion is initiated by the transfer of the leading-edge vortex, which interferes with the vortex pattern generated at the trailing edge. Successful inversion is conditioned on the starting phase and the time interval of the frequency reduction. The details of the process during the transition are discussed.