3D-Printed Bio-Inspired Mechanisms for Bird-like Morphing Drones

Author:

Bishay Peter L.1ORCID,Brody Matthew1,Podell David1,Corte Garcia Francisco1,Munoz Erik1,Minassian Evette1,Bradley Kevin1

Affiliation:

1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Northridge, CA 91330, USA

Abstract

Birds have unique flight characteristics unrivaled by even the most advanced drones due in part to their lightweight morphable wings and tail. Advancements in 3D-printing, servomotors, and composite materials are enabling more innovative airplane designs inspired by avian flight that could lead to optimized flight characteristics compared to traditional designs. Morphing technology aims to improve the aerodynamic and power efficiencies of aircraft by eliminating traditional control surfaces and implementing wings with significant shape-changing ability. This work proposes designs of 3D-printed, bio-inspired, non-flapping, morphing wing and tail mechanisms for unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposed wing design features a corrugated flexible 3D-printed structure to facilitate sweep morphing with expansion and contraction of the attached artificial feathers. The proposed tail feather expansion mechanism features a 3D-printed flexible structure with circumferential corrugation. The various available 3D-printing materials and the capability to print geometrically complex components have enabled the realization of the proposed morphing deformations without demanding relatively large actuation forces. Proof-of-concept models were manufactured and tested to demonstrate the effectiveness of the selected materials and actuators in achieving the desired morphing deformations that resemble those of seagulls.

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes,Computer Science Applications,Process Chemistry and Technology,General Engineering,Instrumentation,General Materials Science

Reference33 articles.

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