rexresearch
ORNITHOPTERS
Bird
Flight Muscular System

The supracoracoideus works using a pulley like system
to lift the wing while the pectorals provide the powerful
downstroke.
Most birds have approximately 175 different muscles, mainly
controlling the wings, skin, and legs. The largest muscles in
the bird are the pectorals, or the breast muscles, which
control the wings and make up about 15 - 25% of a flighted
bird’s body weight. They provide the powerful wing stroke
essential for flight. The muscle ventral (underneath) to the
pectorals is the supracoracoideus. It raises the wing between
wingbeats. The supracoracoideus and the pectorals together
make up about 25 – 35% of the bird's full body weight.
The skin muscles help a bird in its flight by adjusting the
feathers, which are attached to the skin muscle and help the
bird in its flight maneuvers.
There are only a few muscles in the trunk and the tail, but
they are very strong and are essential for the bird. The
pygostyle controls all the movement in the tail and controls
the feathers in the tail. This gives the tail a larger surface
area which helps keep the bird in the air.
[ An outstanding
website for ornithopterists ... lots of experimental detail
]
http://www.ornithopter.de
How
Ornithopters Fly - Other Flapping Wing Designs
When designing ornithopter models there are mainly two major
tasks, the development of the drive technology and the
development of the flapping wing. In general, the wide
interest lies in the drive systems and components. But the
main problem in the development of such aircrafts are the
flapping wings. In this field of design desire differs very
widely from reality.
Below, the attempt is being made, to give a rough overview
about the physical characteristics of known flapping wings.
But this collection doesn't claim to be complete.
1. The bird wing, the ideal
Naturally, the great archetype for technical flapping wings is
the living bird wing. His great effectiveness due to his
manifold possibilities to move purposeful and to change the
shape will certainly be unobtainable in aero modelling for a
long time. This is also true for his weight distribution and
his sensor technology.
[ bird-wing ]
In this drawing by K. Herzog the anatomic subdivision of the
bird's wing in arm- and hand section is pictured. It can also
to be used advantageously when describing technical flapping
wings. The longitudinal parts of these wing sections are
rather different depending on bird species. External link 1, 2
2. Membrane flapping wings
Membrane flapping wings especially are changing the chamber
direction in the hand wing section according to the flapping
direction. This way, they can produce much thrust and achieve
steep climbing flights (Flying with Thrust). But up to now
they are less suited for gliding flights and for flying with
lift.
2.1 The sail as archetype
A sail - though in other circumstances - has about the same
function as a flapping wing. It shall generate as much thrust
as possible under changing approach flow directions.
By material selection, layout, division into parts, sail trim
and rig tuning the sail characteristics can vary in wide
ranges. Battens give the sail more stability and an optimal
shape. A lot of descriptions with sophisticated tips about the
fabrication of the sail and its practical use can be found.
Indeed, a lot of membrane flapping wing systems have been
developed, but detailed information about them is barely
available (exception External link 3.
2.2 Simple membrane flapping
wings
The pinion feather by Alexander Lippisch (ca 1937) obviously
was optimized for thrust generation. Therefore, he increased
the chord in the outer wing area. But this pinion feather was
not intended for generating lift at the same time. She's
merely a propeller with changing rotation direction.
Tim was the first in mass-produced rubber powered flapping
wing model - with simple membrane flapping wings -
invented by Albertini Prosper and de Ruymbecke Gérard
(France 1969).
The membrane printing of Tim in the marginal picture was
drafted by K. Herzog Under the designation Tim Bird this model
is available in trade till today.
2.3 Simple membrane flapping wing
with battens
Here a famous Membrane Flapping Wing, equipped with small
battens for stabilisation of the membran, developed by A.
Pénaud (France 1872). (More informations at external link 4.
2.4 Active twisting by spar
rotation
Membrane flapping wing by Erich v. Holst (1943) with
drive-controlled wing twisting in the arm wing section by spar
rotation. Only the rib at the end of the arm wing (number 9)
is fixed to the spar. It is linked with a crank drive which
effects the stroke movement as well as the rotary movement of
the spar.
The twisting in the hand wing section happens largely
passively. In addition, a transition from cross to
longitudinal battens can be seen. In spite of alternating
profile chamber direction during a flapping cycle a relatively
purposeful increase of wing twisting tipwards is made
possible. The bird models by K. Herzog (1963) follow this
scheme, too.
2.5 Aeroelastically twisting by
spar torsion
The flapping wing model of the Czech Cenek Chalupsky (1934)
was flying steadily without a tail unit. Its achieved climb
power is still considered remarkable today. Each flapping wing
of this ornithopter has two spars. The straight, bending
resistant spar (H1) transmits the power of the stroke motion.
The bended torsion elastic spar (H2)determines the magnitude
of the wing twisting. Both spars cross approximately in the
center of the half span. At the crosspoint they are movably
interlinked. For the torsion elastic spar (H2) not to bent
backward too much a string or an elastic thread is apparently
tightened between the tips of the spars.
During downstroke of the wings the lifting forces are
increased. The spar H2 and the wing are twisting. The
magnitude of the twisting acts in accordance with the
magnitude of the lift force and the stiffness of the spar. It
therefore happens aeroelastically.
Additionally to the twisting the tip of the spar H2 bends
upwards during downstroke. As a reaction it bends downwards at
the other side of the crosspoint - thus, in the section of the
arm wing. Thereby, the camber of the airfoil is increased a
little. Thereby, an adaptation to the requirements of an
effective stroke motion takes place.
2.6 Flying wing ornithopter
Ornithopter without a tail unit, developed by Jean-Louis
Solignac (France, 2000).
The flapping wing model has a very simple and light driving
mechanism and is powered by a rubber drive. With a wing span
of 15 cm (5.9 in) it has a weightof only 0.6 gramms (0.021 oz
[US]). The airplane performances are amazingly good.
(For the construction of the flapping wing model External link
6.
The particular about this flapping wings is the down cambered
airfoil shaped by battens. Thereby it flies in a stable
attitude without a tail unit. This can theoretically be
explained with the shifting of the pressure point of thin
airfoils. It can be tested in the adjacent experiment with a
paper airplane. The cross-section of this paper airplane
equates to a down chambered airfoil.
2.7 In tandem
Ornithopter with two sets of flapping wings based on a
dragonfly, developed by Erich von Holst (1943).
Here, for simplifying the mechanism both opposite halves of a
wing are rigidly fixed to a unit. This way, the pressure point
of the model is fixed between the two wing units.
In such tandem arrangements with wings flapping in opposite
directions the vertical pendulousness of the fuselage should
be avoided. This, however, bears the disadvantage that the
backmost flapping wing is in the turbulence wake of the front
one. Only for very small wings and at very small Reynold's
numbers this may be beneficial. Model by Horst Händler (1988).
[
tandem ]
2.8 Thrust-wing
By mechanisation of a dragonfly's flight principle Erich von
Holst has developed his thrust-wing model with two in the
opposite direction rotating three-blade wings (1940). The
flapping angle in one stroke direction constitutes 180° and
360° for a complete flapping cycle respectively ( Video at
external link 7).
Three instead of two wing blades per rotor offer a constant
supporting force (See also configuration of the rubber powered
model ENTOID by Velko T. Velkov (2007) external link 8).
In contrast to a propeller a lift force perpendicular to the
thrust is generated at the thrust-wing, too. One must only
increase the "thrust-wing advance ratio" (v/u) - similar to a
flapping wing - and fly with a positive angle of attack of the
thrust-wing axis.
This is a fine example for an innovative transfer biological
principles of a flapping wing in engineering. But the
specialism bionics did not exist at that time.
[ thrust-wing ]
2.9 Thrust generation with an
oscillating wing
Thrust also can be produced by raising and lowering a rigid
wing in flight. But thereto the lift and the transverse force
respectively during the upward motion must be smaller than
during downward motion. The bigger the difference, the better
for the thrust principle of flight . Furthermore, a continual
alignment of the angle of incidence is normally necessary.
Here a strikingly simple generation of an accordant
oscillating motion of the wing by using an eccentrically
pivoted rotating mass consisting of the mainspring and the
gear. In this case the wing is aeroelastically twistable. The
idea was coined by W. B. Mituritscha (probably from Russia,
1953).
Unfortunately, a forward and backward motion of the wing
occurs along the way. However, this can be avoided by a second
counterrotating mass.
There are diverse proposals to generate an oscillation motion
of the wing by a pilot who is flying in a hang-glider or an
other ultralight aircraft - for example by fast press-ups or
knee-bends.
For new experiments with oscillating wings, please take a look
at external link 9.
2.10 Rotating wings
To avoid the accelerating forces at the final stroke positions
flapping wingsrotating on a cone-shaped shell where sometimes
built whose apex lies at the wingroot.
Examples: The Rotor Dragonfly by Adolf Piskorsch
(1944 and 1989 respectively) and the flight model by Horst
Händler (1989). Both ends of the driveshaft are bended in
Horst Händler's model. Thereon, the wings are attached
freely twistable. The angles of incidence is guided by the
upward pointing levers on the wings.
2.11 With non-twistable arm wing
section
Membrane flapping wing with a non-twistable arm wing section
and passive twisting at hand wing section. The arm wing is
triangle shaped and has a large wing depth at the wing root.
Arm- and hand wing membrane overlap in wing span direction.
Obviously, the hand wing spar could make a little flap
movement at the wrist. Later the hand wing depth was
enlarged (Please also take a look at the
construction of the pinion feather by Alexander Lippisch).
This daedalean flapping wing design of the <q>Seagullwas
developed by Percival H. Spencer (USA 1958) (Please look
at external link 10).
Today, this design principle of flapping wings with inserted
battens is widely-used.
3. Profiled flapping wings
Profiled flapping wings respectively double-sided covered
wings may work with a very high efficiency. With their mostly
relatively low flapping frequency and the small operating
range of lift coefficient of a simple airfoil not much thrust
can be produced. Not, at least, if the full lift must be
generated concurrently (flying with lift). Therefore, profiled
flapping wings are suited especially for a level flight, the
gently inclined climbing flight and of course for changing to
gliding flight.
3.1 With artificial feathers
To ease the twisting, the closed airfoil can be faned out. So
far, this is particularly used for large manned ornithopters.
Adjacent, a flapping wing with staggered wing tips of the
manned Schwan 1 , developed by Walther Filter (1956, at the
Hannover fair 1958). The angle of incidence deflection of the
feathers designed as several wings was controllable.
Even for splay and straddle movement of the feathersthere are
old design proposals. In contrast, with EV7b only with simple
feather implementations experiments have been made.
A further example for artificial feathers is the Ikarusby
Emiel Hartman (England 1959). More recent experiments with
artificial feathers are to be seen at gliders with
out-faned wing tips
by Johannes Huser, at the BirdmanGeorges Fraise (France 2005)
and at the Ornithopter Project by Ryszard Szczepañski (Poland
2002). External links 11, 12 and 13)
3.2 With inclined hinge of the
hand wing
A special version of a flapping wing derives from K. Herzog
(1963). With this wing, the rotation and the twist axis,
respectively, is not standing vertical to the stroke axis.
The arm wing should perform a flapping motion and a twisting
motion at the shoulder hinge. With rubber threads between arm-
and handwing the latter was pulled down a little
(aeroelastically wing).
This is also an early suggestion for an articulated flapping
wing with an additional flap movement of the hand wing. The
kink of the profile between the arm and the hand wing
lies approximately at the same location as on the
above-mentioned membrane wing by P. H. Spencer.
3.3 Twisting by tilting the
leading edge of the wing
The feature of the pitch propellerby John Drake lies in the
twisting of the leading edge, not the trailing edge of the
flapping wing (England, flight tests in 1978).
3.4 With stepped twisting
An approximate wing twisting can also be achieved by a stepped
rotation of relative non-twistable wing sections. The model
EV4 (1979) was also equipped with such a rotation of single
wing sections. But in this case, the rotations was
controlled by the wing drive.
A typical representative of a passive stepped twisted wing is
the Step-Twister</q> with his foam wings (Depron) by
Karel Pustka (2004). The developing gap between the wing
sections is covered with a membrane.
3.5 Twisting by stroke movement
of the auxiliary spar.
Here, the wing twisting is generated by a phase-delayed stroke
movement of the main and auxiliary spar - developed by Emile
Räuber
(France 1909).
This technology was also used at the EV2 (1976). In the
margin, the wings with their two spars powered separately are
to be seen. The function is similar to the wing of a
dragonfly. Here, too, the phase-delayed flapping movement of
the main and auxiliary spar determines the amount of the wing
twisting.
Furthermore, the dragonfly obviously works with a strong spar
at the leading edge. With the phase-delayed flapping movement
of three spars the camber of the airfoil can be influenced,
too. Supports or linkages of the three spars at the body are
clearly recognisable as dark partly cross over
structures at the back of the dragonfly.(Please also
take a look to External link 14 and 15).
[
dragonfly ]
3.6 Servo controlled wing
twisting
This is a lifelike and airworthy replica of a pterosaurs - a
Quetzalcoatlus Northropi (QN). The aerodynamics of this
ornithopter should fully equate the original. The idea come
from the creative genius Dr. Paul MacCready (USA 1985).
The twisting of the wings was controlled by servos and the
flight attitude was stabilized by backward and forward motions
of the wing tips and nodding motions of the head.
For details - including the principle of the drive mechanism -
please take a look to the articles (in German) about the
project by Paul MacCready and for further informations via
External link 16.
[ macready ]
3.7 Shearflex principle
Here an aeroelastically twistable profiled flapping wing
according to the Shearflex Principle. This system makes a
relatively inelastic covering applicable. If the twisting
along the wing is constant and not to excessive, the airfoil
contour accuracy is therefore very good.
Here, the twist elasticity will mainly be determinated by the
spar designed as wing leading edge.This system was invented by
Professor James D. DeLaurier and Jeremy M. Harris (Canada
1994).
The ornithopter with its tripartition of the flapping wing is
interesting, too. Jeremy M. Harris 1977 has applied it
for patent.
On the adjacent photo James D. DeLaurier and Jeremy M. Harris
can be seen with their remote-controlled model, 3 m in span
and with combustion
motor. A sustained flight was achieved 1991. A video is
available External link 17.
Here, a corresponding replica with an electrical drive system
by Horst Händler (1994).
[ delaurier-harris ]
[ haendler
]
3.8 Shell wing
with active wing twisting by a drive controlled spar rotation,
developed by Albert Kempf (France 1998). External link 18
Apparently, the upper side of the wing consists of a cambered
hard shell, which is shaped with foam on the lower side to a
profiled airfoil wing. A long thin plate with a cambered cross
section may be twisted easily and creaselessly. Also the
aforesaid shearflexed wing is using this property. This
flapping wing category here is called shell wing. The such
equipped Truefly is to be seen in the adjacent picture - an
ornithopter with a wonderful flying sight. It also was the
first ornithopter which achieved strong climbing flights with
profiled flapping wings.
In the essay ( http://www.ornithopter.de/daten/fluegel.pdf )
Flapping Wing Designs (38 pages in German, version 2.3, PDF
1.8 MB) additional information about these flapping wing
designs can be found.
In conjunction with the EV-models developed flapping wings are
to find on site:
http://www.ornithopter.de/english/articulated.htm [
Articulated flapping wings ]
4. External links to other
flapping wing designs
Longitudinal part of the hand wing section of birds:
http://www.fen-net.de/oag-mittelfranken/hilfkipp.htm
Bionics, airfoils and wing cross sections of birds by Johannes
Huser:
http://www.geier-segelflug.de/bionik.htm
Construction of Membrane Wings by Nathan Chronister:
Alphonse Pénaud, (1850 - 1880):
http://www.ctie.monash.edu.au/hargrave/penaud.html
Video about a flapping wing model by Cenek Chalupsky:
http://ovirc.free.fr/Clips_video.php
Construction method of the flapping wing model by Jean-Louis
Solignac:
http://ovirc1.free.fr/solignac-ornitho.htm
Video about flapping wing models by Erich von Holst:
http://www.ornithopter.org/video.shtml
Thrust-wing model ENTOID by Velko T. Velkov:
http://velkovelkov.blogspot.com/2009/09/entoid.html
The "Double flapping wing airplane" by Karl-Heinz Helling is
flying:
http://www.modellbau-thiele.de/schlagfluegel.htm
http://www.mfc-rossendorf.de/fileadmin/Projekte/SchlagfluegelProjekt/SchlagfluegelProjekt.htm
Report about Percival H. Spencer:
http://www.seabee.info/spencer.htm
Gliders with out-faned wing tips by Johannes Huser:
http://www.geier-segelflug.de/flugmodelle.htm
Out-faned wings of the Birdman Georges Fraise:
http://ovirc.free.fr/GFraise.php
Out-faned wing tips at the Ornithopter Project by Ryszard
Szczepañski:
http://www.ornithopter.com.pl
Close-up view of an orange colored dragonfly:
http://www.grahamowengallery.com/photography/dragonfly_photography.html">http://www.grahamowengallery.com/photography/dragonfly_photography.htmlRubber-protein
Resilin
enables dragonfly wings for acrobatic flight:
http://www.springerlink.com/content/g5w5gq0l7lxhx202/">http://www.springerlink.com/content/g5w5gq0l7lxhx202/
Replicating of biological membranes, pterosaurs by Paul
McCready
http://pterosaur.stanford.edu/Proposals/ProjectDescription.pdf
http://ovirc.free.fr/McCready.php
Video of the proof-of-concept model for a manned ornithopter
flight
by James D. DeLaurier:
http://www.ornithopter.net/MediaGallery/Videos/index_e.html
Ornithopter model Truefly by Albert Kempf:
http://truefly.chez.com
These patents were retrieved from espacenet.com's
advanced search. To acquire the complete patent ( PDF ), copy
the patent number and paste it into the Publication Number.
Ornithopter
having a wing structure and a mechanism for imparting
realistic, bird-like motion thereto
US7607610
Inventor(s): STERCHAK ROBERT
Abstract -- An ornithopter
having segmented, flapping wings and capable of bird-like
flight. A main driv system provides flapping motion to the
wings. Servo systems are provided for independently moving
each wing forward and backward along a major axis of the
aircraft fuselage, thereby providing a balance subsystem. A
single servomechanism controls upward and downward direction
of the wings thereby providing a center angle control
subsystem. Two additional servo systems are provided to
control a tail assembly that provides steering and other
ancillary control functions. Each subsystem is controlled by a
dedicated, onboard microcontroller. One embodiment of the
aircraft is remotely controlled by a wireless data
communication link. The aircraft may be constructed to
resemble a natural bird, in both static appearance and flight
characteristics. The aircraft may be scaled from model size to
a full-size, passenger carrying aircraft.
Wing-Flapping
Flying Apparatus and Method of Using the Same
US2008251632


Inventor(s): KIM KWANG HO ; JEON JAE
HAK ; KIM YOON JOO
Also published as: WO2007013721 // KR100587446
Abstract -- The present
invention provides a wing-flapping flying apparatus, which can
fly by moving its wings similar to a bird hovering or flying
in the air by flapping its wings. The wing-flapping flying
apparatus comprises: a body; a rotating shaft rotatably joined
to the body; driving means for rotating the rotating shaft;
and wings reciprocated between two points and connected to the
rotating shaft so as to be rotated together with the rotating
shaft and to be relatively torsionally rotated with respect to
the rotating shaft. The wing-flapping flying apparatus
generates lift throughout an entire wing-flapping movement
without generating lift only throughout the half of a
wing-flapping movement or offsetting the generated lift by the
other half of the wing-flapping movement. Therefore, the
wing-flapping flying apparatus can provide not only a stable
flight but also a softly hovering or ascending and descending
flight.
Flapping wing mechanism for a model aircraft
FR2776937
Inventor(s): KEMPF ALBERT
Abstract -- The mechanism
consists of a double crankshaft (4) rotated e.g. by an elastic
motor (9) and having two sections (4a, 4b) offset at an angle
to one another and connected by arms (10a, 10b) to a slider
(11). The arms and slider convert the crankshaft rotation into
a reciprocating and rocking motion transmitted by rods (13) to
longerons (14) which make the wings flap and twist, simulating
the motion of bird wings.
Device for
controlling gliding flight of bird-like aircraft -
controls flight using combinations in proportion of tail
movements, body position changes and twisting and folding
of wings FR2697442
Inventor(s): PHILIPPE GRISEZ
Abstract -- The control
device is for a full size or model aircraft provides commands
so that the aircraft simulates the real gliding flight of a
bird. Each command affecting the centres of gravity, lift and
drag is a proportional combination of four basic commands for
tail, body and wings. The first basic command (1) controls
tail position about the horizontal vertical and longitudinal
axes and the second (2) displaces the centre of gravity of the
fuselage. The third (3) provides for extension and folding of
upper and lower wings during a turn and the fourth (4) for
differential twisting of wing halves. ADVANTAGE - Control
system gives aircraft realistic birdlike flight.
US5170965
Man-powered hang glider
Inventor(s): YASUDA HIROAKI [JP]
Abstract -- A man-powered
hang glider having main wings (8a,8b) which are attached
swingably to posts (1) through the medium of a telescopic
joint (10). A rope (15)is looped between a pedal (14) provided
at a lower part of the post (1) and the main wing (8) and is
fixed to the pedal (14) and the main wing. By operation of the
pedal (14), the wing (8) is flapped as the flapping of a bird
wing. By flapping action of the main wings (8), the hang glide
is enabled to fly, irrespective of upcurrents.
Man-powered
ornithopter-sailplane
US7410121


Inventor(s): DAINYS REMIGIJUS
Also published as: // UA80641 // WO2005023647 //
LT2003081 // LT5212
Abstract -- A man-powered
ornithopter-sailplane, which has one or two pair of flapping
wings and a hang-glider wing wherein substantially novel
femoral and humeral muscular propulsion engines with the aid
of which the body members connected thereto form integrated
moving-flying and controlling-guiding mechanisms. Femoral arms
are fixed to the torso base from which the movements for the
wings flapping with respect to axles inclined to a horizontal
direction are transmitted through the intermediate links of a
cinematic chain. The wings comprise a row of rotational rods
arranged therein and provided with elastic feather-like panels
which produced during flapping, in a closed or turned position
thereof, aerodynamic profiles and corresponding lifting and
propulsion aerodynamic forces.; The controlling-guiding
movements are transmitted from the humeral arms to the
flapping wings by means of movable ball joints. The diversity
of movements of the femoral arms, humeral arms, hang-glider
wing make it possible to control the flight.
MANPOWER FLYING
VEHICLE
CN1061193
Inventor(s): BAISHOU GAO
Abstract -- The " manpower
flight device " provides a flight vehicle which uses the
people's physical strength as the power source. It is not only
a kind of traffic tool, but also can be used as a physical
traning equipment and recreational tool. Said flight device
has the double-layer wing structure, and its upper layer is a
pair of fixed wings so as to pledge providing the necessary
lifting force, and its lower layer is a pair of movable " bird
wings ", which can be flapped up and down as bird wings by
means of the combination action of flayer's foot-treading and
hand-pulling so as to provide the pushing force and auxiliary
lifting force for flighting. The framework of said flight
device is made from aluminium alloy material and its wing film
is made of high-quality nylon.
AEROFOIL WITH
FUNCTION OF BIRD WING
JP53071499
Inventor(s):
TEZUKA SHIYOUZOU
Ornithopter
WO 2009074349
Abstract --
The invention relates to a muscle-powered ornithopter
comprising a fuselage, a pair of flapping wings which have a
modifiable profile or an aileron in an external wing section
located at a distance from the fuselage, said modifiable
profile or aileron allowing the lift to be modified in a
predefined current, and an elevator unit in which the
deflection of the elevator can be modified. The pair of
flapping wings and the fuselage are made of an elastic
material, the elasticity of which allows the pair of flapping
wings to be flapped. The flapping wings are curved downward in
a resting position. The elasticity is calculated such that the
flapping wings are urged into a neutral position during a
flight because of the pilot's weight.; The fuselage is
designed to accommodate the pilot in a vertical position
relative to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage such that the
pilot can apply stress to and relieve stress from the aircraft
in phases by stretching and bending his or her legs. The
ornithopter further comprises mechanisms which allow the
modifiable external wing sections and the modifiable
deflection of the elevator to be actuated in phase with the
movement of the flapping wings.
HELICOPTER, FOR
EXAMPLE A MAN-POWERED AIRCRAFT
WO2009022886

Inventor(s): BADYROV OLEG KAPANOVICH [KZ]
Abstract -- The invention
relates to flying vehicles designed according to a helicopter
layout, in particular to man-powered flying vehicles in which
lifting force is produced by the rotation of a lifting rotor
provided with aerodynamic wings. The inventive helicopter, in
particular a man-powered aircraft comprises a lifting rotor,
the rotation of which is carried out in the more economical
manner in comparison with the known prior art due to the
pulsed application of torque to the rotor wings. The technical
result is achieved by the use of the ornithopter principle for
rotating the rotor wings, when energy is periodically
transmitted by pulses from the engine of the craft (from the
pilot, i.e., from his legs) to a drive for carrying out
flapping motions by the wings and a horizontal "pulling"
component of the lifting force, produced on the flapping
wings, generates torque on the aircraft rotor.
Wing of
ornithopter
CN101417708
Inventor(s): YUNFU XU [CN]
Abstract -- A wing of an
ornithopter comprises an inner wing section and an outer wing
section. A middle frame of the outer wing section and a pull
rod connected with the middle frame are respectively threaded
through a connecting part of the front section and the back
section of wing ribs of the inner section and the outer wing
section; when the outer wing section is pulled by the pull rod
and the wing is raised, the wing rib is folded with a
connecting point as the axis and when the wing swoops, the
wing rib is unfolded. An angle limiter is respectively
arranged on the front wing rib and the back wing rib to
control the folding angle of the front wing rib and the back
wing rib so as to lead the wing of the ornithopter to acquire
higher rising and flying force when the wing flutters.
Ornithopter
CN201183610
Inventor(s): GUANGFU HUANG [CN]; CHEN HUANG [CN]
Abstract -- The utility
model relates to a flapping-wing aircraft and aims at
overcoming the defects that prior flapping-wing aircraft
imitates the flying principle of birds, has complicated
structure large energy consumption and slow flying speed. For
the aircraft, a wing flap is arranged above the fuselage
through a fixed frame; a transmission system, a wing-turning
device and a retractable device are arranged in the wing flap;
a wing with a retractable fan shape is arranged beside the
wing flap. Therefore, the wing acquires sufficient lifting
force and high speed so that the aircraft can independently
accomplish vertical take-off, landing, forward flight,
backward flight, turning and horizontal flight without
deviation. The aircraft can achieve catapult parachuting; the
device has flying flexibility and reliability as well as
practicality.
Ornithopter
transmission mechanism capable of being separated into two
segments
CN201143993

Inventor(s): YUNFU XU [CN]
Abstract -- An actuating
mechanism for a folding two-section ornithopter is provided.
The utility model drives a transmission shaft (2) via an
engine or a motor (1); then, the utility model drives a left
side transmission gear (4) and a left side transmission
crankshaft (5); the top section (10) of the left side
transmission crankshaft is connected to a tie bar on a left
side wing of the ornithopter. Meanwhile, the left side
transmission gear (4) is horizontally connected with a right
side transmission gear (6); the left side transmission gear
(6) drives a left side transmission crankshaft (7); the top
section (11) of the left side transmission crankshaft (7) is
connected with a tie bar on a right side wing of the
ornithopter. Therefore, the left side transmission gear and
the right side transmission gear in the utility model can
rotate synchronically towards different direction.
ORNITHOPTER
JP2008254714

Inventor(s): ISOGAI KOJI; SATO HIROYUKI
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To provide an excellent ornithopter which quickly
flies high, by outputting large thrust by realizing ideal
flapping motion, by providing flapping amplitude of vibration
and feathering amplitude of vibration of large amplitude of a
flapping wing in a high flapping frequency, without requiring
a complicated and heavy driving control circuit device. ;
SOLUTION: In this resonance type ornithopter, the flapping
wing is constituted by bonding and fixing one elastic plate
material to one elastic bar material as a wing plate, with the
one elastic bar material as a wing shaft. By forcibly
vibrating and driving the flapping wing in specific amplitude
in the flapping motion direction in a natural frequency of the
one elastic bar material, the one elastic bar material is
resonantly vibrated in the flapping motion direction, and
flapping motion is provided by aerodynamically elastically
deforming the one elastic plate material.
An ornithopter
mechanism
GB2444068
Inventor(s): CHILD ROBIN EDWARD
Abstract -- A Scotch yoke
mechanism provides a primary reciprocating motion, and a
secondary reciprocating motion which is 90 degrees out of
phase with the primary reciprocation motion. A motor rotates
an eccentric crank having a drive pin 5, which cooperates with
a slot in a yoke 8 to cause reciprocation thereof. Attached to
the drive pin 5 are two independently rotating pulleys 21, 22,
each pulley carrying lines or belts 20 which arrive and leave
in a direction normal to the reciprocation of the yoke 8 when
in use. The belts are wrapped half way around each pulley 21,
22, and each belt engages further idler pulleys 19 located on
the same plane and mounted on the yoke. The mechanism attempts
to mimic the flapping motion in flight of hummingbirds, and
insects, eg. bees. The motion of the lines 20 may be
transmitted via racks, pinions, bevel gears, or shafts to
operate the wings
ORNITHOPTER
JP2008081094

Inventor(s): ISOGAI KOJI; UESAWA YUICHI
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To provide an excellent ornithopter having an
excellent power transmission efficiency and capable of
performing an alert and highly maneuvarable flight by
performing a flapping motion with a high flapping frequency
since a large output can be provided by rotatingly driving a
rotary motor at high speeds without requiring a complicated
and heavy drive control circuit device and the large output
from the rotary motor is converted into a flapping motion
without a large mechanical loss. ; SOLUTION: In this resonance
ornithopter, a flapping blade forms a blade vibration system
performing a compound resonance in two degree-of-freedom;
flapping vibration and feathering vibration. A vibrating motor
generating an inertia force in the circumferential direction
by the flapping blade pivotally supported on a flapping
vibration pivot shaft is supportedly installed. A flapping
vibration torque and a feathering vibration torque can be
provided by the inertia force generated by the vibrating
motor.
ORNITHOPTER
JP2008024049

Inventor(s): NAKAZATO KATSUYOSHI
Abstract -- PROBLEM TO BE
SOLVED: To a comparatively large-sized orinthopter having
extremely original/innovative mechanism, and capable of flying
while embarking a human in the future. ; SOLUTION: The
opnithopter comprises a machine body 10, wings 20 mounted to
the machine body 10, and a flapping mechanism materializing
flapping motion of the wings 20. The flapping mechanism has
slanting shaft members 40F/40R fixed to the machine body 10,
moving members 41F/41R constructed so as to reciprocate along
the slanting shaft members 40F/40R and coupled to wing base
portions of the wings 20 through hinge portions, a driving
portion 42 driving the moving members 41F/41R to reciprocate,
and wing supporting members 43F, 43R coupling the machine body
10 and the wings 20 and supporting position separated from the
wing base portions of the wings 20 by a predetermined
distance. Lead-lag motion is materialized simultaneously with
the flapping motion of the wings
A winged device
to mimic wing movement of insects / hummingbirds
GB2433059

Inventor(s): SINCLAIR PETER LOGAN [GB]
Also published as: US2008272231 // WO2007066092
Abstract -- A winged
device comprises an axial support mounted for reciprocating
rotary motion about a longitudinal axis of the support, a
first wing vane 1 mounted to the axial support 3 for rotation
therewith, and a second wing vane 2 hingedly mounted to the
axial support 3. The first wing vane 1 is connected by a
connector 4, 24 to a cam follower 24 which is constrained to a
defined movement path by a cam 23, while the second wing vane
2 is also connected to the cam follower via another connector
5, 25. Through this connection, reciprocation motion of the
axial support causes the relative orientation of the wing
vanes to change, hence causing flexure / bending of the wing
1, 2. A guide rail and follower may be used in place of the
cam and follower mechanism. This ornithopter attempts to mimic
the motion of wings of a hummingbird / insect in flight.
Foldaway
two-section-type wings for ornithopter
CN2918218


Inventor(s): XU YUNFU [CN]
Abstract -- The utility
model relates to a two-segment ornithopter wing, comprising an
inner wing segment and an outer wing segment which can be
folded symmetrically. A transmission crankshaft is connected
with a pull rod, the pull rod traverses the top of the inner
wing segment skeleton in the fuselage, and outward is
connected with the vertex of an extend segment, which is a
segment of the outer wing segment over the junction of the
inner and outer wing segment, in the way, the pull rod is
driven by the circular motion of the transmission crankshaft,
the outer wing segment skeleton is pulled by the pull rod and
in the lever motion with the fulcrum which is a junction of
the inner and outer wing segment, the inner wing segment
skeleton is also in the lever motion synchronously with the
fulcrum which is the junction of the inner wing segment and
the fuselage, making the flutter of wing look like the motion
state of the bird wing very much.
Manual
wing-flapping craft
CN200954879

Inventor(s): YANG BOHAI YANG [CN]
Abstract -- The utility
model relates to a manpower ornithopter, an aircraft for
sports and entertainment. The utility model consists of a
central backbone [1], a triangle arm [4] connected with the
both sides of the backbone to produce the up and down
movement, a movable handle [2] moving from the front to the
rear, a fan wing [3] composed of finger ribs [8] and a
horizontal connecting rod and foot pedal [14] to control the
fan wing moving up and down, an opened connecting rod [13] and
an extendable connecting rod [16] positioned between the
connecting rod. The connecting rod is provided with a movable
handle [18] of a steel wire [15] to control the movement of
the fan wing and the angle, a sleeve button and the vertical
tube column [10] and a resistant block [19] at the bottom of
the backbone. The vertical tube column is provided with a
two-shoulder fixing bracket [19], while the terminal is
provided with a seat plate [12] with seat plate rail [21] and
a safety rope [20]. The utility model is simple in structure
and convenient to manufacture, and can be disassembled to
carry around, thereby partially resolving the problems of
transportation and travel.
Ornithopter
CN2808739

Inventor(s): MO QIQI [CN]
Abstract -- The utility
model provides a flapping wing aircraft which supplies lift
force stably and realizes manned flight. The utility model has
the structure that the utility model comprises an aircraft
body, an engine, a drive component and flapping wings, wherein
the flapping wings are symmetrically arranged at both sides of
the aircraft body and the engine is linked with the flapping
wings through the drive component. The utility model is
characterized in that each flapping wing comprises a skeleton,
an elastic wing body and a flapping arm; the elastic wing body
forms a half-cone shape and covers the skeleton, the flapping
arm which runs through the framework transversely is provided
with a plurality of joints and one end of the flapping arm is
connected to the drive component. Flapping wing aircrafts
manufactured by the principle of the utility model can realize
manned flight, and the horizontally degree of the aircraft is
increased.
Ornithopter
wing mechanism
CZ16862
Inventor(s): ZAJICEK KAMIL [CZ]
Flapping wing
aircraft
CN101041383
Inventor(s): ZHANG JIN ZHANG [CN]
Abstract -- The invention
relates to an aircraft imitating bird flying method. There is
a U-shape groove on flapping wing surface to constitute a
spring plate. A thin plate is connected under the spring plate
of flapping wing. A control box is set on the body and a motor
is connected in the control box. The motor is connected with
crank and the crank is connected with slide bar. On the slide
bar there is a slide block, which is connected with two
connecting rods to draw flapping wings move. At the tail of
body there are horizontal tail actuator, vertical tail
actuator and control actuator. The control actuator is
connected with the control box by rotary table and shift
lever. The control box is connected with the rotary shaft. The
horizontal tail actuator is connected with the horizontal tail
by rotary table and shift lever and the vertical tail actuator
is connected with the vertical tail by rotary table and shift
lever. Merits of invention are that 1 the up-down flapping
resistance of flapping wing is small; 2 under the actuator
control, the aircraft of flapping wing flies flexibly and
skillfully, the operation is easy and the oil consumption is
small; 3 the structure is simple and the preparation is
convenient.
MUSCLE-POWERED
ORNITHOPTER
WO2009074349
Inventor(s): PIETREK NIKOLAUS
Abstract -- The invention
relates to a muscle-powered ornithopter comprising a fuselage,
a pair of flapping wings which have a modifiable profile or an
aileron in an external wing section located at a distance from
the fuselage, said modifiable profile or aileron allowing the
lift to be modified in a predefined current, and an elevator
unit in which the deflection of the elevator can be modified.
The pair of flapping wings and the fuselage are made of an
elastic material, the elasticity of which allows the pair of
flapping wings to be flapped. The flapping wings are curved
downward in a resting position. The elasticity is calculated
such that the flapping wings are urged into a neutral position
during a flight because of the pilot's weight.; The fuselage
is designed to accommodate the pilot in a vertical position
relative to a longitudinal axis of the fuselage such that the
pilot can apply stress to and relieve stress from the aircraft
in phases by stretching and bending his or her legs. The
ornithopter further comprises mechanisms which allow the
modifiable external wing sections and the modifiable
deflection of the elevator to be actuated in phase with the
movement of the flapping wings.
Ornithopter
with independently controlled wings
US2005269447
Inventor(s): CHRONISTER NATHAN J [US]
Abstract -- The invention
described here offers a more effective method of ornithopter
flight control. To accomplish this, the ornithopter has dual
microprocessor-controlled drive systems for flapping the wings
independently of each other. Various wing movements can cause
the ornithopter to turn, roll, or pitch up or down. Weight and
complexity are reduced by eliminating the need for
servo-controlled tail surfaces.
DRIVING
MECHANISM OF ORNITHOPTER HAVING IMPROVED FLYING EFFICIENCY
TO ENABLE STABLE FLIGHT BY REDUCING LOAD APPLIED TO
CONNECTING RODS AND FACILITATING FLAPPING MOTION
KR20050011646
Inventor(s): CHANG JO WON
Abstract -- PURPOSE: A
driving mechanism of an ornithopter is provided to enable a
constant, stable flight of the ornithopter by adjusting a gear
deceleration ratio, reducing a load applied to connecting rods
and facilitating a flapping motion of a wing segment, to
reduce sizes of the wing segment and to extend a set time of
the ornithopter, thereby improving flying efficiency and
performance. CONSTITUTION: The driving mechanism of an
ornithopter comprises: a motor(21); a first decelerating
gear(23) and second decelerating gears(24) connected to a
motor shaft gear, the second decelerating gears(24) having
connecting rods(26) symmetrically disposed to be connected to
both wing segments and inducing smooth vertical motion; and a
shaft center(29) and a trailing edge joint(29A) about which
the wing segments perform flapping motions.
REMOTELY
CONTROLLED ORNITHOPTER CAPABLE OF INDUCING APPROPRIATE
FLAPPING MOTION AND HAVING REDUCED WING SIZE BY IMPROVING
FLYING EFFICIENCY AND INCREASING FLIGHT MANEUVERABILITY
KR20050011645
ORNITHOPTER HAVING EXCELLENT
MECHANICAL STRENGTH AND GLOSS AND HIGH LEVEL OF AIR
SHIELDING CAPABILITY USING ALUMINUM DEPOSITED PET FILM
KR20050011644
ATTITUDE CONTROL APPARATUS AND
RADIO-CONTROLLED ORNITHOPTER COMPRISING THE SAME
KR20050034364
Vertical landing assistant
airplane
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two-layer ornithopter aircraft
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Couple distance moving arc type
feathering aricraft
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ORNITHOPTER SYSTEM FOR A VERTICAL
TAKE-OFF AND LANDING AIRPLANE WITH A PAIR OF WINGS HAVING A
WING FRONT SHAFT AND A WING REAR PART INSTALLED AT A ROTARY
CONE AND A ROTARY CYLINDER, RESPECTIVELY
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ORNITHOPTER WITH FLEXIBLE
FUSELAGE
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loosen leaves
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Structure intended for carrying
out flapping flight by the upper plane of a biplane
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MAN POWERED ORNITHOPTER
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CYLINDER PULLING BOTH WINGS
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Improvements relating to
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Ornithopter
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Improvements relating to
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Improvements in ornithopters
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Improvements in or relating to
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Improvements in or relating to
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Improvements in or relating to
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An improved flying machine
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Improvements in aircraft of the
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