New generations of highly maneuverable aircraft, uninhabited combat air vehicles or micro air vehicles, are likely to feature very flexible lifting surfaces. To enhance the performance and control characteristics of these vehicles, the replacement of hinged control surfaces by smart wings with morphing airfoils is investigated. This requires a fundamental understanding of the interaction between aerodynamics, structures, and control systems. The modeling of a smart wing with morphing airfoils is described. Trailing-edge flaps for maneuvering are replaced by airfoil morphing via distributed structural actuation. The goal is to build a model consistent with distributed control and to exercise this model to determine the progress possible in terms of flight control (lift, drag, and maneuver performance) with an adaptive wing. The model is used to study the roll performance and actuation power requirements of a smart wing with morphing airfoils. For selected flight conditions, actuation power requirements of a smart wing with morphing airfoils are compared to those of a conventional wing with trailing-edge flaps.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Gern et al. (2005) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 2 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: