Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-wzw2p Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-30T20:08:45.841Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Performance and control optimisations using the adaptive torsion wing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 January 2016

R. M. Ajaj ,
M. I. Friswell ,
W. G. Dettmer ,
G. Allegri  and
A. T. Isikveren
R. M. Ajaj*
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
M. I. Friswell
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
W. G. Dettmer
Affiliation:
College of Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
G. Allegri
Affiliation:
Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
A. T. Isikveren
Affiliation:
Bauhaus Luftfahrt, Munich, Germany
*
R.M.Ajaj@swansea.ac.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

This paper presents the Adaptive Torsion Wing (ATW) concept and performs two multidisciplinary design optimisation (MDO) studies by employing this novel concept across the wing of a representative UAV. The ATW concept varies the torsional stiffness of a two-spar wingbox by changing the enclosed area through the relative chordwise positions of the front and rear spar webs. The first study investigates the use of the ATW concept to improve the aerodynamic efficiency (lift-to-drag ratio) of the UAV. In contrast, the second study investigates the use of the concept to replace conventional ailerons and provide roll control. In both studies, the semi-span of the wing is split into five equal partitions and the concept is employed in each of them. The partitions are connected through thick ribs that allow the spar webs of each partition to translate independently of the webs of adjacent partitions and maintain a continuous load path across the wing span. An MDO suite consisting of a Genetic Algorithm (GA) optimiser coupled with a high-end low-fidelity aero-structural model was developed and employed in this paper.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 116 , Issue 1184 , October 2012 , pp. 1061 - 1077
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2012 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Friswell, M.I. and Inman, D.J. Morphing Concepts for UAVs, 21st Bristol UAV Systems Conference, April 2006.Google Scholar
2. Kuzmina, S., Amiryants, G., Schweiger, J., Cooper, J., Amprikidis, M. and Sensberg, O. 2002 Review and Outlook on Active and Passive Aeroelastic Design Concept for Future Aircraft. ICAS 2002 Congress, 8-13 September, Toronto, Canada, ICAS, 432, pp 1–10.Google Scholar
3. Schweiger, J. and Suleman, A. The European Research Project – Active Aeroelastic Structures CEAS Int Forum on Aeroelasticity and Structural Dynamics, 2003.Google Scholar
4. Simpson, J., Anguita-Delgado, L., Kawieski, G., Nilsson, B., Vaccaro, V. and Kawiecki, G. Review of European Research Project Active Aeroelastic Aircraft Structures (3AS), European Conference for Aerospace Sciences (EUCASS), 2005, Moscow, Russia.Google Scholar
5. Miller, G.D. Active Flexible Wing (AFW) Technology, Rockwell International North American Aircraft Operations, 1988, Los Angeles, CA, USA, Report: AFWAL-TR-87-3096.Google Scholar
6. Clarke, R., Allen, M.J., Dibley, R.P., Gera, J. and Hodgkinson, J. Flight Test of the F/A-18 Active Aeroelastic Wing Airplane, AIAA Atmospheric Flight Mechanics Conference and Exhibit, San Francisco, CA, AIAA 2005-6316, 2005.Google Scholar
7. Pendleton, E.W., Bessette, D., Field, P.B., Miller, G.D. and Griffin, K.E. Active aeroelastic wing flight research program: technical program and model analytical development, J Aircraft, 2000, 37, (4), pp 554–561, doi: 10.2514/2.2654.Google Scholar
8. Griffin, K.E. and Hopkins, M.A. Smart stiffness for improved roll control, J Aircraft, Engineering Notes, 1997, 34, (3), pp 445–447.Google Scholar
9. Chen, P.C., Sarhaddi, D., Jha, R., Liu, D.D., Griffin, K. and Yurkovich, R. Variable stiffness spar approach for aircraft manoeuvre enhancement using ASTROS, September-October 2000, J Aircraft, 37, (5).Google Scholar
10. Nam, C., Chen, P.C., Sarhaddi, D., Liu, D., Griffin, K. and Yurkovich, R. Torsion-Free Wing Concept for Aircraft Maneuver Enhancement, 2000, AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Atlanta, GA, USA, AIAA 2000-1620.Google Scholar
11. Florance, J.R., Heeg, J., Spain, C.V. and Lively, P.S. Variable Stiffness Spar Wind-Tunnel Modal Development and Testing, 45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC/ Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Palm Springs, California, USA, AIAA 2004-1588, 2004.Google Scholar
12. Amprikidis, M., Cooper, J.E. and Sensburg, O. 2004. Development of an Adaptive Stiffness All-Moving Vertical Tail, 45th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Palm Spring, California, USA, AIAA 2004-1883.Google Scholar
13. Cooper, J.E., Amprikidis, M., Ameduri, S., Concilio, A., San Millan, J. and Castanon, M. Adaptive Stiffness Systems for an Active All-Moving Vertical Tail, European Conference for Aerospace Sciences (EUCASS) 4-7th July, 2005, Moscow, Russia.Google Scholar
14. Cooper, J.E. Adaptive stiffness structures for air vehicle drag reduction. In Multifunctional Structures/Integration of Sensors and Antennas (pp 15-1-15-12). Meeting Proceedings RTO-MP-AVT-141, Paper 15, Nueuilly-sur-Seine, France: RTO, 2006.Google Scholar
15. Cooper, J.E. Towards the Optimisation of Adaptive Aeroelastic Structures, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, UK, 2006.Google Scholar
16. Hodigere-Siddaramaiah, V. and Cooper, J.E. 2006. On the Use of Adaptive Internal Structures to Optimise Wing Aerodynamics Distribution, 47th AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, AIAA 2006-2131.Google Scholar
17. Ajaj, R.M., Friswell, M.I., Dettmer, W.G., Allegri, G. and Isikveren, A.T. Conceptual Modelling of an Adaptive Torsion Structure, 52nd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, AIAA-2011-1883, 2011.Google Scholar
18. Ajaj, R.M., Friswell, M.I., Dettmer, W.G., Allegri, G. and Isikveren, A.T. Roll Control of a UAV Using an Adaptive Torsion Structure, 52nd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics and Materials Conference, Denver, Colorado, USA, AIAA-2011-1883, 2011.Google Scholar
19. Smith, D.D., Isikveren, A.T., Ajaj, R.M. and Friswell, M.I. Multidisciplinary Design Optimisation of an Active Nonplanar Polymorphing Wing, 27th International Congress of the Aeronautical Sciences (ICAS 2010) Nice, France, 19-24 September 2010.Google Scholar
20. Ajaj, R.M., Smith, D., Isikveren, A.T. and Friswell, M.I. A conceptual wing-box weight estimation model for transport aircraft, Aeronaut J, Accepted, 2012.Google Scholar
21. Chipperfield, A.J. and Fleming, P.J. The Matlab Genetic Algorithm Toolbox, IEE Colloquium on Applied Control Techniques using Matlab, Digest No.1995/014, January 1996.Google Scholar
22. Chipperfield, A.J., Fleming, P.J. and Fonseca, C.M. Genetic Algorithm Tools for Control Systems Engineering, Proc.1st Int. Conf. Adaptive Computing in Engineering Design and Control, Plymouth Engineering Design Centre, UK, 1994, 21-22 September, pp 128–133.Google Scholar
23. Melin, T. A Vortex Lattice MATLAB Implementation for Linear Aerodynamic Wing Applications, Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), December 2000.Google Scholar
24. Megson, T.H.G. Aircraft Structures for Engineering Students, Chapter 9, Bending, shear and torsion of open and closed, thin-walled beams, pp 276–345, Butterworth-Heinemann, Burlington, USA, 2003.Google Scholar
25. Wright, J.R. and Cooper, J.E. Introduction to Aircraft Aeroelasticity and Loads, Chapter 11, Dynamic Aeroelasticity-Flutter, John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2007.Google Scholar
26. Ajaj, R.M., Friswell, M.I., Dettmer, W.G., Allegri, G. and Isikveren, A.T. Dynamic modelling and actuation of the adaptive torsion wing, J Intelligent Material Systems and Structures (JIMSS), Accepted, 2012.Google Scholar