Complete morphing wing design using flexible-rib system
Source abstract
Abstract
This study is concerned with the complete design, analysis, functional prototyping and flight testing of a novel morphing wing system for use in a relatively small (<10 kg) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). To achieve improved flight performance with limited weight penalty, camber-adjustable morphing wing was designed using flexible servomotor-actuated mechanisms. The current design, which was originally conceptualized by Monner et al. (Smart structures and materials: industrial and commercial applications of smart structures technologies. Proceedings of SPIE 3326, pp 60–70, 1998), ensures that the airfoil shape of the wing is able to continuously morph between the non-cambered and the cambered configurations. The morphing function of the wing is achieved using a flexible-rib system driven by onboard servomotor-rocker. This unique design of a flexible-rib assembly enables the airfoil of the wing to be accurately morphed to the target configuration. With the aid of aerodynamic and finite element analyses, the flexible rib assembly performance and structural integrity are evaluated and assessed. The design process was in compliance with aircraft design standards, including the Federal Aviation Regulations—Part 23. The functional prototype of the flexible rib morphing-wing enabled UAV was manufactured and assembled and a test plane was ground tested. The success of the entire project, including flight testing of the flexible rib assembly is summarized in this paper.
Source: openaire · Quality: candidate unverified · Source record ↗
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Aeroelasticity and Vibration Control · Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms · Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics Research
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
References (34)
Show source-provided references
1. Ashley, S.: Flying on flexible wings. Sci. Am. 289, 84–91 (2003)10.1038/scientificamerican1103-84 ↗
2. Barbarino, S., Bilgen, O., Ajaj, R.M., Friswell, M.I., Inman, D.J.: A review of morphing aircraft. J. Intel. Mater. Syst. Struct. 22, 823–877 (2011)10.1177/1045389X11414084 ↗
3. Barbarino, S., Flores, E.S., Ajaj, R.M., Dayyani, I., Friswell, M.I.: A review on shape memory alloys with applications to morphing aircraft. Smart Mater. Struct. 23, 063001 (2014)10.1088/0964-1726/23/6/063001 ↗
4. Blondeau, J., Richeson, J., Pines, D.J.: Design, development and testing of a morphing aspect ratio wing using an inflatable telescopic spar. In: Proceeding of 44th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS structures, structural dynamics, and materials conference, p. 1718, Norfolk, VA, USA (2003)10.2514/6.2003-1718 ↗
5. Campanile, L.F., Sachau, D.: The belt-rib concept: a structronic approach to variable camber. J. Intel. Mater. Syst. Struct. 11, 215–224 (2000)10.1177/104538900772664486 ↗
6. Chen, P.C., Sarhaddi, D., Jha, R., Liu, D.D., Griffin, K., Yurkovich, R.: Variable stiffness spar approach for aircraft maneuver enhancement using ASTROS. J. Aircr. 37, 865–871 (2000)10.2514/2.2682 ↗
7. Ciarella, A., Tsotskas, C., Hahn, M., Werter, N.P.M., Breuker, R.D., Beaverstock, C.S., Friswell, M.I., et al.: A multi-fidelity, multi-disciplinary analysis and optimization framework for the design of morphing UAV wings. In: Proceedings of 16th AIAA/ISSMO Multidisciplinary Analysis and Optimization Conference 2326, 22–26 (2015)10.2514/6.2015-2326 ↗
8. Coutu, D., Brailovski, V., Terriault, P., Mamou, M., Laurendeau, E.: Real-time optimization of a research morphing laminar wing in a wind tunnel. In: ASME 2009 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, pp. 203–209, Oxnard, CA, USA (2009)10.1115/SMASIS2009-1245 ↗
9. Diaconu, C.G., Weaver, P.M., Mattioni, F.: Concepts for morphing airfoil sections using bi-stable laminated composite structures. Thin-Walled Struct. 46, 689–701 (2008)10.1016/j.tws.2007.11.002 ↗
10. Federal Aviation: Federal Aviation Regulations Part 23 Airworthiness standards: Normal, utility, acrobatic and commuter category airplanes. Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration, Washington (2015)
11. Grant, D., Abdulrahim, M., Lind, R.: Flight dynamics of a morphing aircraft utilizing independent multiple-joint wing sweep. Int. J. Micro. Air Veh. 2, 91–106 (2010)10.1260/1756-8293.2.2.91 ↗
12. Garcia, H.M., Abdulrahim, M., Lind, R.: Roll control for a micro air vehicle using active wing morphing. Paper presented at the AIAA guidance, navigation, and control conference exhibit, Austin, TX, USA, 11–14 August (2003)10.2514/6.2003-5347 ↗
13. Han, C., Ruy, K., Lee, S.: Experimental study of a telescopic wing inside channel. Eng. Notes J. Aircr. 44, 1029–1030 (2007)10.2514/1.26267 ↗
14. Handbook of Finnish Plywood (Finnish Forest Industries Federation (ed)), Finnish Forest Industries Federation, Finland (2002)
15. Hitec Inc., (2015) http://hitecrcd.com/products/servos/micro-and-mini-servos , Accessed 18 August 2015
16. Jha, A.K., Kudva, J.N.: Morphing aircraft concepts, classifications, and challenges. In: Smart structures and materials: industrial and commercial applications of smart structures technologies. Proc. SPIE 5338, 213–224 (2004)10.1117/12.544212 ↗
17. Joo, J.J., Sanders, B., Johnson, T., Frecker, M.I.: Optimal actuator location within a morphing wing scissor mechanism configuration. In: Smart structures and materials: modeling, signal processing, and control. Proc. SPIE 6166, 616603–1 (2006)10.1117/12.658830 ↗
18. Joo, J.J., Sanders, B.: Optimal location of distributed actuators within an in-plane multi-cell morphing mechanism. J. Intel. Mater. Syst. Strcuct. 20, 481–492 (2009)10.1177/1045389X08096049 ↗
19. Kota, S., Hetrick, J.A., Osborn, R., Paul, D., Pendleton, E., Flick, P., Tilmann, C.: Design and application of compliant mechanisms for morphing aircraft structures. Smart Struct. Mater. Proc. SPIE 5054, 24–33 (2003)10.1117/12.483869 ↗
20. Li, P., Liu, Y., Leng, J.: A new deformation monitoring method for a flexible variable camber wing based on fiber Bragg grating sensors. J. Intel. Mater. Syst. Struct. 25, 1644–1653 (2014)10.1177/1045389X13510220 ↗
21. Lind, R., Garcia, H., Abdulrahim, M.: Roll control for a micro air vehicle using active wing morphing. In: 2003 AIAA Guidance, Navigation, and Control Conference and Exhibit, p. 5347, Austin, TX, USA (2003)10.2514/6.2003-5347 ↗
22. Monner, H.P., Hanselka, H., Breitbach, E.: Development and design of flexible fowler flaps for an adaptive wing. In: Smart structures and materials: industrial and commercial applications of smart structures technologies. Proc. SPIE 3326, 60–70 (1998)10.1117/12.310673 ↗
23. Pendleton, E.W., Bessette, D., Field, P.B., Miller, G.D., Griffin, K.E.: Active aeroelastic wing flight research program: technical program and model analytical development. J. Aircr. 37, 554–561 (2000)10.2514/2.2654 ↗
24. Poonsong, P.: Design and analysis of a multi-section variable camber wing. Master Thesis, University of Maryland (2004)
25. Sabri, F., Meguid, S.A.: Flutter boundary prediction of an adaptive morphing wing for unmanned aerial vehicle. Int. J. Mech. Mater. Des. 7, 307–312 (2011)10.1007/s10999-011-9169-z ↗
26. Seigler, T.M., Neal, D.A., Bae, J.S., Inman, D.J.: Modeling and flight control of large-scale morphing aircraft. J. Aircraft 44, 1077–1087 (2007)10.2514/1.21439 ↗
27. Sheldahl, R.E., Klimas, P.C.: Aerodynamic characteristics of seven symmetrical airfoil sections through 180-degree angle of attack for use in aerodynamic analysis of vertical axis wind turbines (No. SAND-80-2114). Sandia National Labs, Albuquerque (1981)
28. Smith, I., Landis, E., Gong, M.: Fracture and fatigue in wood. John Wiley & Sons, USA (2003)
29. Sofla, A.Y.N., Meguid, S.A., Tan, K.T., Yeo, W.K.: Shape morphing of aircraft wing: status and challenges. Mater. Des. 31, 1284–1292 (2010)10.1016/j.matdes.2009.09.011 ↗
30. Spalart, P.R., Allmaras, S.R.: A one-equation turbulence model for aerodynamic flows. La Recherche Aérospatiale 1, 5–21 (1994)
31. Stanewsky, E.: Adaptive wing and flow control technology. Prog. Aerosp. Sci. 37, 583–667 (2001)10.1016/S0376-0421(01)00017-3 ↗
32. Thill, C., Etches, J., Bond, I., Potter, K., Weaver, P.: Morphing skins. Aeronaut. J. 112, 117–139 (2008)10.1017/S0001924000002062 ↗
33. Weisshaar, T.A.: Morphing aircraft systems: historical perspectives and future challenges. J. Aircraft 50, 337–353 (2013)10.2514/1.C031456 ↗
34. Wilson, J.R.: Active aeroelastic wing: a new/old twist on flight. Aerosp. Am. 40, 34–37 (2002)