Design and Development of a Seamless Smart Morphing Wing Using Distributed Trailing Edge Camber Morphing for Active Control

Abstract

In this study, the design and development of an autonomous morphing wing concept were investigated. The morphing wing was developed in the scope of the Smart-X project, aiming to demonstrate in-flight performance optimisation. This study proposed a novel distributed morphing concept, with six Translation Induced Camber (TRIC) morphing trailing edge modules, interconnected with triangular skin segments joined by an elastomer material to allow seamless variation of local lift distribution along the wingspan. A FSI structural analysis tool was developed, to achieve a feasible design, capable of reaching target shapes and minimising the actuation loads with fibreglass weave material. A conventional actuator and kinematic mechanism were selected such that both static and dynamic requirements in terms of bandwidth, actuation force and stroke were fulfilled. The integration of smart sensing technologies and active morphing design developed for the Smart-X wing is facilitated in static and dynamic wind-tunnel tests at the Open Jet Facility (OJF) at the Delft University of technology, with multi-objective control of the active morphing system.