Complete morphing wing design using flexible-rib system

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• 作者：S. A. Meguid ; Yu Su ; Yue Wang
• 关键词：Morphing wing ; Flexible rib ; Unmanned aerial vehicle ; Aerodynamics ; Finite element analysis ; Structural integrity ; Camber adjustment ; Functional prototype ; Flight test
• 刊名：International Journal of Mechanics and Materials in Design
• 出版年：2017
• 出版时间：March 2017
• 年：2017
• 卷：13
• 期：1
• 页码：159-171
• 全文大小：
• 刊物类别：Engineering
• 刊物主题：Continuum Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials; Classical Mechanics; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Engineering Design;
• 出版者：Springer Netherlands
• ISSN：1573-8841
• 卷排序：13

文摘

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.