After months of dedicated design and testing, youtuber “Works by Design” tried to create a vertical-flying ornithopter, a feat seldom attempted in aviation history. The project aimed to devise an aircraft inspired by hummingbirds, utilizing flapping wings, mini-thrusters, and an air motor rotating at an astounding 16,000 times per minute. Contrary to existing horizontal-flying ornithopters, this innovation sought to hover vertically akin to a hummingbird.
The endeavor commenced with meticulous research, studying hummingbird flight patterns and meticulously analyzing countless wing variations. The inventor developed what might be the world's lightest air motor, combining electrical components to power the contraption. The wing mechanism, a critical component, underwent numerous iterations before settling on a leverage linkage system capable of translating rotational motion into oscillating movement, facilitating about 130° of wing pivot.
Navigating through various power source options, the inventor initially considered a constant force spring but eventually leaned towards utilizing carbon dioxide cartridges, leveraging their high power density. Through trial and error, a custom rotary vane motor was engineered, designed to harness the compressed air's energy to drive the wing mechanism. However, setbacks emerged during testing, requiring constant redesigns to optimize the system's efficiency.
The journey was rife with challenges, including wing material selection and gear ratio refinement. Despite setbacks and the realization that achieving untethered flight was yet to come to fruition, the inventor succeeded in tethered flight tests. The project's current status showcases promising results with substantial thrust generated by the ornithopter, albeit with stability issues to resolve.
