Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Abstract

Investigations are conducted to mechanize a controlled spanwise-varying airfoil camber change for a high aspect ratio wing, resulting in optimized aerodynamic performance for a aircraft that changes weight by 50% over its mission. Mechanisms to achieve these shape changes are designed based on two separate design methodologies: a rigid body kinematics approach and a compliant mechanism approach. A framework for optimizing mechanisms based on each approach is presented. Differences between the approaches are illustrated through the design of a mechanism for a specific set of airfoil shapes. Mechanisms are evaluated based on the error in the shapes and on the energy efficiency of the systems.

Keywords

morphing aircraft, mechanism design, compliant mechanism, adaptive wing, sensorcraft

Volume

19

Issue

9

First Page

1101

Last Page

1102

Comments

Originally published in and accepted for publication by Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures

Geoffrey J. Frank, James J. Joo, Brian Sanders, David M. Garner, Andrew P. Murray, Mechanization of a High Aspect Ratio Wing for Aerodynamic Control, Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 19(9), 1101-1112, (2008)

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