spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif spacer gif
 QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Norberg, U. M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Norberg, U. M.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 65, Issue 1 179-212, Copyright © 1976 by Company of Biologists


JOURNAL ARTICLES

Aerodynamics, kinematics, and energetics of horizontal flapping flight in the long-eared bat Plecotus auritus

UM Norberg

The kinematics, aerodynamics, and energetics of Plecotus auritus in slow horizontal flight, 2-35 m s-1, are analysed. At this speed the inclination of the stroke path is ca. 58 degrees to the horizontal, the stroke angle ca. 91 degrees, and the stroke frequency ca. 11-9 Hz. A method, based on steady-state aerodynamic and momenthum theories, is derived to calculate the lift and drag coefficients as averaged over the whole wing the whole wing-stroke for horizontal flapping flight. This is a further development of Pennycuick's (1968) and Weis-Fogh's (1972) expressions for calculating the lift coefficient. The lift coefficient obtained varies between 1-4 and 1-6, the drag coefficient between 0-4 and 1-2, and the lift:drag ratio between 1-2 and 4-0. The corresponding, calculated, total specific mechanical power output of the wing muscles varies between 27-0 and 40-4 W kg-1 body mass. A maximum estimate of mechanical efficiency is 0-26. The aerodynamic efficiency varies between 0-07 and 0-10. The force coefficient, total mechanical power output, and mechanical and aerodynamic efficiencies are all plausible, demonstrating that the slow flapping flight of Plecotus is thus explicable by steady-state aerodynamics. The downstroke is the power stroke for the vertical upward forces and the upstroke for the horizontal forward forces.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. R. Spedding, A. H. Hedenstrom, J. McArthur, and M. Rosen
The implications of low-speed fixed-wing aerofoil measurements on the analysis and performance of flapping bird wings
J. Exp. Biol., January 15, 2008; 211(2): 215 - 223.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
ScienceHome page
A. Hedenstrom, L. C. Johansson, M. Wolf, R. von Busse, Y. Winter, and G. R. Spedding
Bat Flight Generates Complex Aerodynamic Tracks
Science, May 11, 2007; 316(5826): 894 - 897.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
U. M. L. Norberg and Y. Winter
Wing beat kinematics of a nectar-feeding bat, Glossophaga soricina, flying at different flight speeds and Strouhal numbers
J. Exp. Biol., October 1, 2006; 209(19): 3887 - 3897.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
M. Rosen, G. R. Spedding, and A. Hedenstrom
The relationship between wingbeat kinematics and vortex wake of a thrush nightingale
J. Exp. Biol., November 15, 2004; 207(24): 4255 - 4268.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
R. D. Bullen and N. L. McKenzie
Scaling bat wingbeat frequency and amplitude
J. Exp. Biol., September 1, 2002; 205(17): 2615 - 2626.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
T. L. Hedrick, B. W. Tobalske, and A. A. Biewener
Estimates of circulation and gait change based on a three-dimensional kinematic analysis of flight in cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) and ringed turtle-doves (Streptopelia risoria)
J. Exp. Biol., May 15, 2002; 205(10): 1389 - 1409.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
P. WATTS, E. J. MITCHELL, and S. M. SWARTZ
A COMPUTATIONAL MODEL FOR ESTIMATING THE MECHANICS OF HORIZONTAL FLAPPING FLIGHT IN BATS: MODEL DESCRIPTION AND VALIDATION
J. Exp. Biol., March 10, 2002; 204(16): 2873 - 2898.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
G. N. Askew, R. L. Marsh, and C. P. Ellington
The mechanical power output of the flight muscles of blue-breasted quail (Coturnix chinensis) during take-off
J. Exp. Biol., January 11, 2001; 204(21): 3601 - 3619.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
J Wong and D Waters
The synchronisation of signal emission with wingbeat during the approach phase in soprano pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pygmaeus)
J. Exp. Biol., January 2, 2001; 204(3): 575 - 583.
[Abstract] [PDF]


Home page
J. Exp. Biol.Home page
J. Maina
What it takes to fly: the structural and functional respiratory refinements in birds and bats
J. Exp. Biol., January 10, 2000; 203(20): 3045 - 3064.
[Abstract]




© The Company of Biologists Ltd 1976