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


spacer gif
     Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents    

Right arrow Help viewing high resolution images
Right arrow Return to article

(Downloading may take up to 30 seconds.
If the slide opens in your browser, select File -> Save As to save it.)
Click on image to view larger version.



Fig. 21. Regions of positive and negative vorticity during the translation of two wings following `clap and fling'. Rn1 and Rn2 denote regions of negative vorticity, Rp1 and Rp2 denote regions of positive vorticity. The two wings are initially clapped together and rotate apart along their trailing edges. This rotation creates two large leading edge vortices. Towards the end of rotation, the wings begin to translate apart. During translation, two weak trailing edge vortices begin to form. In this diagram, the wings are moving away from each other at a constant speed and angle of attack. The leading edge vortices (denoted by Rn1 and Rp1) are stronger than the trailing edge vortices (denoted by Rn2 and Rp2). This vortical asymmetry results in larger lift forces than in the symmetrical case without fling.





Right arrow Return to article