Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Parametric analysis of an oscillating wing energy harvester with a trailing edge flap

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study investigated the optimal energy harvesting conditions of an oscillating wing with a trailing edge flap for various parameters such as flap length and maximum wing and flap pitch angles. Numerical simulations were performed for flap lengths ranging from 20 % to 70 % of the chord length (c). The maximum wing pitch angle varied from 40° to 75°, whereas the maximum flap pitch angle varied from 15° to 60°. Results show that the power output performance of a large flap is higher than that of a short flap. This is because the incoming fluid is deflected relatively more vertically by a large flap than by a short flap at the same maximum wing and flap pitch angles. Consequently, the momentum change is enhanced in the direction of the heaving motion, which eventually improves the power output performance. In addition, the camber of the wing increases with flap length, leading to an increase in incoming fluid velocity on the leeward surface of the wing. This caused a decrease in leeward surface pressure for large flaps, resulting in an increased pressure difference on the wing surfaces, which assisted in enhancing the heaving force and power. The maximum power output was obtained at a maximum wing pitch angle of 70° for a flap length 20 % of c, and it was reduced to 45° for a flap length 70 % of c. However, the optimum maximum flap pitch angle varied between 35° and 45° for varying flap lengths. The power output and efficiency were improved by around 27 % and 21 %, respectively, compared with an oscillating wing without a flap, and this was achieved for a flap length 60 % of c with the maximum wing and flap pitch angles of 50° and 45°, respectively.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

t w :

Thickness of the wing

d :

Overall vertical displacement

x :

Wing projected length along x-direction

X P :

Pitch point

c :

Chord length

h :

Instantaneous heave amplitude

H 0 :

Maximum heave amplitude

θ(t) :

Instantaneous pitch amplitude of the wing

θ 0 :

Maximum pitch amplitude of the wing

Ψ(t) :

Instantaneous pitch angle of the flap

Ψ o :

Maximum pitch amplitude of the flap

f :

Oscillation frequency

f ⋆ :

Reduced frequency

ω :

Angular frequency

Re :

Reynolds number

ϕ :

Phase angle

ρ :

Fluid density

U ∞ :

Free stream velocity

Vy :

Vertical velocity

μ :

Dynamic viscosity

C X :

Drag coefficient

C Y :

Pushing force coefficient

C M :

Pitching moment coefficient

C py :

Wing pushing power coefficient

C pm :

Wing pitching moment power coefficient

C pt :

Total power coefficient

F Y :

Pushing force

F X :

Drag force

P:

Power required

η :

Power extraction efficiency

T :

Time period

References

  1. D. N. Beal, F. S. Hover, M. S. Triantafyllou, J. C. Liao and G. V. Lauder, Passive propulsion in vortex wakes, J. Fluid Mech., 549 (2006) 385–402, doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112005007925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. J. C. Liao, D. N. Beal, G. V. Lauder and M. S. Triantafyllou, Fish exploiting vortices decrease muscle activity, Science, 302 (5650) (2003) 1566–1569, doi: https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1088295.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. M. S. Triantafyllou, G. S. Triantafyllou and D. K. P. Yue, Hydrodynamics of fishlike swimming, Annu. Rev. Fluid Mech., 32 (1) (2000) 33–53, doi: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.fluid.32.1.33.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  4. F. Dahmani and C. H. Sohn, Effects of advance ratio on elytrahindwing interaction in forward flying Coleopteran beetle, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 32 (12) (2018) 5703–5710, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-018-1117-5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Q. Xiao and Q. Zhu, A review on flow energy harvesters based on flapping foils, J. Fluids Struct., 46 (2014) 174–191, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2014.01.002.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. W. McKinney and J. DeLaurier, Wingmill: an oscillating-wing windmill., AIAA Pap., 5 (2) (1980) 80–87.

    Google Scholar 

  7. K. D. Jones and M. F. Platzer, Numerical computation of flapping-wing propulsion and power extraction, 35th Aerosp. Sci. Meet. Exhib., Reno, USA (1997) 1–16, doi: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1997-826.

  8. M. F. Jones, K. D. Davids and S. Platzer, Oscillating-wing power generator, ASME/JSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conference, San Francisco, California, USA (1999), https://doi.org/http://hdl.handle.net/10945/37213.

  9. K. Lindsey, A feasibility study of oscillating-wing power generators, Masfer’s Thesis, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, USA (2002).

    Google Scholar 

  10. M. F. Platzer, M. A. Ashraf, J. Young and J. C. S. Lai, Development of a new oscillating-wing wind and hydropower generator, 47th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including The New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition, Orlando, USA (2009).

  11. T. Kinsey and G. Dumas, Parametric study of an oscillating airfoil in a power-extraction regime, AIAA J., 46 (6) (2008) 1318–1330, doi: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.26253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. F. Dahmani and C. H. Sohn, Effect of convergent duct geometry on the energy extraction performance of tandem oscillating hydrofoils system, J. Fluids Struct., 95 (2020) 1–31, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2020.102949.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. F. Dahmani and C. H. Sohn, Effects of the downstream spatial configuration on the energy extraction performance of tandem/parallel combined oscillating hydrofoils, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 34 (5) (2020) 2035–2046, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0425-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. T. Kinsey and G. Dumas, Optimal operating parameters for an oscillating foil turbine at reynolds number 500000, AIAA J., 52 (9) (2014) 1885–1895, doi: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J052700.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. T. Kinsey and G. Dumas, Computational fluid dynamics analysis of a hydrokinetic turbine based on oscillating hydrofoils, J. Fluids Eng. Trans. ASME, 134 (2) (2012) 1–16, doi: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4005841.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Q. Zhu, Optimal frequency for flow energy harvesting of a flapping foil, J. Fluid Mech., 675 (2011) 495–517, doi: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022112011000334.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  17. C. O. Usoh, J. Young, J. C. S. Lai and M. A. Ashraf, Numerical analysis of a non-profiled plate for flapping wing turbines, Proc. 18th Australas. Fluid Mech. Conf. AFMC 2012 (2012) 3–6.

  18. Q. Zhu and Z. Peng, Mode coupling and flow energy harvesting by a flapping foil, Phys. Fluids, 21 (3) (2009) doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3092484.

  19. M. F. Platzer, J. Young and J. C. S. Lai, Flapping-wing technology: The potential for air vehicle propulsion and airborne power generation, ICAS Secr. - 26th Congr. Int. Counc. Aeronaut. Sci. 2008, ICAS 2008, 5 (2008) 943–952.

    Google Scholar 

  20. M. A. Ashraf, J. Young, J. C. S. Lai and M. F. Platzer, Numerical analysis of an oscillating-wing wind and hydropower generator, AIAA J., 49 (7) (2011) 1374–1386, doi: https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J050577.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Q. Xiao, W. Liao, S. Yang and Y. Peng, How motion trajectory affects energy extraction performance of a biomimic energy generator with an oscillating foil?, Renew. Energy, 37 (1) (2012) 61–75, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2011.05.029.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. K. Lu, Y. Xie and D. Zhang, Nonsinusoidal motion effects on energy extraction performance of a flapping foil, Renew. Energy, 64 (2014) 283–293, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2013.11.053.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. F. Dahmani and C. H. Sohn, Effects of the downstream spatial configuration on the energy extraction performance of tandem/parallel combined oscillating hydrofoils, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 34 (5) (2020) 2035–2046, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-020-0425-8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. W. Mo et al., Hydrodynamic analysis of three oscillating hydrofoils with wing-in-ground effect on power extraction performance, Ocean Engineering, 246 (2022) doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2022.110642.

  25. G. He, H. Yang, W. Mo, Z. Zhao, W. Wang and H. Ghassemi, Influence of inter-foil spacing on energy extraction of tandem oscillating hydrofoils, Ocean Eng., 259 (2022) 111953, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.OCEANENG.2022.111953.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Y. H. Xie, W. Jiang, K. Lu and D. Zhang, Numerical investigation into energy extraction of flapping airfoil with Gurney flaps, Energy, 109 (2016) 694–702, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2016.05.039.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. B. Zhu, Y. Huang and Y. Zhang, Energy harvesting properties of a flapping wing with an adaptive Gurney flap, Energy, 152 (2018) 119–128, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2018.03.142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. M. Lahooti and D. Kim, Multi-body interaction effect on the energy harvesting performance of a flapping hydrofoil, Renew. Energy, 130 (2019) 460–473, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2018.06.054.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. M. Zhing, Y. L. Bai, T. Zhao and M. Wang, Energy harvesting properties of a flapping foil with blow aspirators: A numerical investigation, Energy Reports, 8 (2022) 1803–1815, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/J.EGYR.2022.01.003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. F. Shi and X. Sun, Study on performance enhancement of a flapping foil energy harvester using circulation control, J. Fluids Eng. Trans. ASME, 143 (7) (2021) 1–16, doi: https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4050055.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. B. Zhu et al., Research on energy extraction characteristics of an adaptive deformation oscillating-wing, J. Renew. Sustain. Energy, 7 (2) (2015) 1–18, doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4913957.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. T. Q. Le and J. H. Ko, Effect of hydrofoil flexibility on the power extraction of a flapping tidal generator via two- and three-dimensional flow simulations, Renew. Energy, 80 (2015) 275–285, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.renene.2015.01.068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. J. Wu, C. Shu, N. Zhao and F. B. Tian, Numerical study on the power extraction performance of a flapping foil with a flexible tail, Physics of Fluids, 27 (1) (2015) doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4905537.

  34. C. M. Hoke, J. Young and J. C. S. Lai, Effects of time-varying camber deformation on flapping foil propulsion and power extraction, Journal of Fluids and Structures, 56 (2015) 152–176, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2015.05.001.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. L. Hou, P. Yang, D. Du and B. Zhu, An adaptive plate at flapping wing’s trailing edge in promoting energy extraction performance, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 35 (2) (2021) 591–600, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-021-0119-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. G. He et al., Modification of effective angle of attack on hydrofoil power extraction, Ocean Engineering, 240 (2021) doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2021.109919.

  37. M. Alam and C. H. Sohn, Enhanced performance of oscillating wing energy harvester using active controlled flap, J. Mech. Sci. Technol., 37 (5) (2023) 2405–2415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. F. Siala and J. A. Liburdy, Energy harvesting of a heaving and forward pitching wing with a passively actuated trailing edge, J. Fluids Struct., 57 (2015) 1–14, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfluidstructs.2015.05.007.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. B. Wang, B. Zhu and W. Zhang, New type of motion trajectory for increasing the power extraction efficiency of flapping wing devices, Energy, 189 (2019) 116072, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2019.116072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (MSIT) (No. 2022R1F1A1061903).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Mechanical Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, Korea

    Maqusud Alam & C. H. Sohn

Authors
  1. Maqusud Alam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. H. Sohn
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. H. Sohn.

Additional information

Maqusud Alam received his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India in 2016. He is currently a Ph.D. student at Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea. His research interests include computational fluid dynamics, Magnetohydrodynamics, Steel-making, Continuous casting and Energy harvesting based on flapping foils.

Chang-Hyun Sohn received his M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST in 1985. He also received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from KAIST in 1991. Dr. Sohn is currently a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Kyungpook National University, Daegu, South Korea. His research interests include computational fluid dynamics, particle image velocimetry, flow-induced vibration, thermal hydraulics and flapping foil-based energy harvester.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Alam, M., Sohn, C.H. Parametric analysis of an oscillating wing energy harvester with a trailing edge flap. J Mech Sci Technol 37, 3563–3573 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0622-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-023-0622-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation