Leading edge vortex improves lift in slow-flying bats
Author
Summary, in English
Staying aloft when hovering and flying slowly is demanding. According to quasi-steady-state aerodynamic theory, slow-flying vertebrates should not be able to generate enough lift to remain aloft. Therefore, unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms to enhance lift production have been proposed. Using digital particle image velocimetry, we showed that a small nectar-feeding bat is able to increase lift by as much as 40% using attached leading-edge vortices (LEVs) during slow forward flight, resulting in a maximum lift coefficient of 4.8. The airflow passing over the LEV reattaches behind the LEV smoothly to the wing, despite the exceptionally large local angles of attack and wing camber. Our results show that the use of unsteady aerodynamic mechanisms in flapping flight is not limited to insects but is also used by larger and heavier animals.
Department/s
Publishing year
2008
Language
English
Pages
1250-1253
Publication/Series
Science
Volume
319
Issue
5867
Document type
Journal article
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Topic
- Biological Sciences
Status
Published
Research group
- Animal Flight Lab
ISBN/ISSN/Other
- ISSN: 1095-9203