Abstract
This paper deals with an experimental study on the self-excited flapping mechanism of flexible wings which mimicked a flight insect for a fluid in low-Reynolds number. This mechanism is based on biomimetics. To get the vibration (flapping motion) of the flexible wings with large amplitude, the driving with the natural frequency of the flexible wings is needed. However, the natural frequency changes with increasing the amplitude and changing of surroundings. So, this study uses the self-excited feedback control for flapping flexible wings. The self-excited driving system follows the natural frequency change of the flexible wings automatically, and the self-excited vibration with large amplitude occurs to the flexible wings. The propulsion force generated by the self-excited flapping wings is measured using a high-sensitive force sensor, and the performance of the propulsion force is clarified experimentally.
