Abstract
The analytical and numerical methods for estimating power and efficiency of a multi-wing cascade configuration of an elastically supported flapping wing power generator are presented. The analytical method is based on the 2D linear potential aerodynamic theory and the numerical method is based on 2D Navier-Stokes equations. Both methods are applied to the two- and three-wing configurations of a hydroelectric power generator oscillating in in-phase and anti-phase modes of oscillation, and the effects of the oscillation mode and wing distance on the power and efficiency of the system are clarified. The power increment expected by introducing the ten-wing configuration is estimated to be approximately 25–33% for the anti-phase mode of oscillation with the adjacent wing distance of 2.0–2.5 chord lengths compared with the simple sum of power generated by a single wing.
