Titelbild

How Ornithopters Fly

Flagge flag vlag pavillon

Calculation tools
for ornithopter models

cover picture of the handbook 
'How ornithopters fly'
Cover picture
of the handbook

There is no common calculation method for flapping wings. In every source of information different methods are being described.

All Orni calculation tools given below are based on the calculation method specified in the handbook How Ornithopters Fly. Particularly, the power and the twisting of the wing at stationary flight situations can determinate with it.

Furthermore, the calculation method permits an approximate quantitative specification of dynamics and aerodynamics of profiled flapping wings, at least. Primarily, the numerical comparison of various factors influencing of flapping wings.

Profiled flapping wings and quasi-stationary flow conditions are presumed. Therefore, calculations only lead to useful results for a fast forward flight with a relatively low flapping frequency (like large birds; please see the description of flying with lift).

The mathematical models are only executable with the respective software applications.

A calculation scheme for the creation of your own calculation program can be found in the Handbook in Appendix D.

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1. Orni 1
Simple calculation tool

in particular to describe the wing twisting

The equations of the handbook are used in a small MS-EXCEL calculation tool:

Download Orni 1 version 5.0 (xlsx, with a short instruction, 0.1MB)

This tool primarily allows the calculation of wing twisting at given wing data.

Principle force progression during flapping flight
Force progression
in principle
Calculation scheme for sinusoidal force
Force calculation scheme for flapping wings

The add­itional calculation of data of the flying model is highly sim­plified. The detailed calculation of the force progression during a stroke cycle has been replaced by assuming a sinusoidal progression of the force. Thereby the accurate coupling of stroke motion and twisting remains unconsidered. Only the reference line (such as in gliding flight) and the amplitude of the sine half-wave in the middle of each wing beat are determined. With that, the area under the curve progression or the size of a force is approximately calculable.

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2. Orni 2
Mathematical model for ornithopters

The basic calculation method of the handbook How Ornithopters Fly is reconstructed step by step. Many of the itemised equations are generated with accompanying text, diagrams and pictures.

The abidance of the operational range of the lift coefficient of the used airfoil is automatically warranted in the calculation tool. Also, the setting of balance of forces during flight happens in a simple way. Therefore, one can certainly achieve the flight data of the chosen model configuration.

For the construction of a flapping wing model the calculation method describes various force and moment developments at the wing. Furthermore, the required power and - above all - the wing twisting along the span are being calculated.

The calculation tool was written (in German) with the software Mathcad.
Because of the volume of data and pages it requires a little familiarisation.


Logo with ornithopter

Web Page
for taking a look

PDF file
for printing

Spreadsheet
for Mathcad-user

Orni 2

orni2
1.7 MB
orni2.pdf
317 KB
orni2.xmcdz
1.8 MB
Airfoil
CLARK-Y

clark_y
270 KB

clark_y.pdf
56 KB

clark_y.xmcdz
257 KB

Airfoil
SD7062-PT
sd7062pt
320 KB
sd7062pt.pdf
60 KB

Crank
drive

k_antrieb
450 KB
k_antrieb.pdf
110 KB

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3. Orni 3
For comparisons in calculation series

This tool is based on the calculation tool Orni 2. Here, gliding and power flights of a flapping wing model can be analysed singly and in series.

To calculate an ornithopter model it is specified by diverse input parameters at first. One of these is defined as an area variable. In the chosen data area one then receives the data of flight and drive, while automatically keeping the data of the airfoil and the balance of forces.

Since there are only a few specifications included, the calculation tool Orni 2 beforehand should be known.

The calculation tool was written with the software Mathcad (in German).


Logo with EV6 in fly by

Web Page
for taking a look

PDF file
for printing

Spreadsheet
for Mathcad-user

Orni 3

orni3.htm
665 KB
orni3.pdf
130 KB
orni3.xmcdz
667 KB
(use airfoil programs above-mentioned)

Note

The here listed calculation tools are too understood as open source software. Therefore, everybody is enabled to take an insight look in the calculation method. Everyone has the permission to relay, vary and particularly to correct and improve this source code.

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4. Comparison of the transport performance of a swan with those of flying models

The flight performance of a mute swan is compared with the performances of a propeller and a flapping wing model.

Download Comparison   (xlsx, 28 KB)

The mute swan needs the most energy. Particularly, this is due to the small efficiency of his muscles but not to his way of flying. Instead, the swan has the advantage that his body fat provides a relatively high density of energy storage. With the used calculation tools the flapping wing model is a little bit more effective than the propeller model.

Also the flapping wing model of the handbook is compared with an according propeller model.