Impact of Actuation Concepts on Morphing Aircraft Structures

Love, Michael; Zink, Scott; Stroud, Ron; Bye, Derek; Chase, Charles

doi:10.2514/6.2004-1724

Cited by 57 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Structurally engineered solutions that achieve large reconfiguration deformations also need to limit parasitic actuation mass and structural efficiency as noted in CRG's efforts [2], MACW [3,4], SAMPSON [5], and N-MAS programs [6]. These programs not only have structural and actuation requirements, but additional engineering and environmental constraints.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D FEA simulation of segmented reinforcement variable stiffness composites

Henry

McKnight

Enke

et al. 2008

Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2008

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Reconfigurable and morphing structures may provide significant improvement in overall platform performance through optimization over broad operating conditions. The realization of this concept requires structures, which can accommodate the large deformations necessary with modest weight and strength penalties. Other studies suggest morphing structures need new materials to realize the benefits that morphing may provide. To help meet this need, we have developed novel composite materials based on specially designed segmented reinforcement and shape memory polymer matrices that provide unique combinations of deformation and stiffness properties. To tailor and optimize the design and fabrication of these materials for particular structural applications, one must understand the envelope of morphing material properties as a function of microstructural architecture and constituent properties. Here we extend our previous simulations of these materials by using 3D models to predict stiffness and deformation properties in variable stiffness segmented composite materials. To understand the effect of various geometry tradeoffs and constituent properties on the elastic stiffness in both the high and low stiffness states, we have performed a trade study using a commercial FEA analysis package. The modulus tensor is constructed and deformation properties are computed from representative volume elements (RVE) in which all (6) basic loading conditions are applied. Our test matrix consisted of four composite RVE geometries modeled using combinations of 5 SMP and 3 reinforcement elastic moduli. Effective composite stiffness and deformation results confirm earlier evidence of the essential performance tradeoffs of reduced stiffness for increasing reversible strain accommodation with especially heavy dependencies on matrix modulus and microstructural architecture. Furthermore, our results show these laminar materials are generally orthotropic and indicate that previous calculations of matrix gap and interlaminar strains based on kinematic approximations are accurate to within 10-20% for many material systems. We compare these models with experimental results for a narrow geometry and material set to show the accuracy of the models as compared to physical materials. Our simulations indicate that improved shape memory polymer materials could enable a composite material that can accommodate ~30% strain with a cold state stiffness of ~30GPa. This would improve the current state of the art 5-10x and significantly reduce the weight and stiffness costs of using a morphing component.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3D FEA simulation of segmented reinforcement variable stiffness composites

Henry

McKnight

Enke

et al. 2008

Behavior and Mechanics of Multifunctional and Composite Materials 2008

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“…New advances in smart materials and adaptive structures have made possible the idea of morphing wing shapes in-flight in order to adapt the aircraft configuration to all flight conditions [3][4].The goal is to create a wing that will be able to reconfigure itself to give optimal performance at all stages of flight. Several morphing concepts for aircraft wings have been proposed [5][6] to change chord and span .Adaptive materials, such as shape memory materials, can be used to accomplish this purpose efficiently.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation on adaptive wing structure based on shape memory polymer composite hinge

Yue-min

Zhang

et al. 2007

SPIE Proceedings

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This paper describes the design and investigation of the SMP composite hinge and the morphing wing structure. The SMP composite hinge was based on SMP and carbon fiber fabric. The twisting recoverability of it was investigated by heating and then cooling repeatedly above and below the Tg. The twisting recoverability characterized by the twisting angle. Results show that the SMP composite hinge have good shape recoverability, Recovery time has a great influence on the twisting recoverability. The twisting recovery ratio became large with the increment of recovery time.The morphing wing can changes shape for different tasks. For the advantages of great recovery force and stable performances, we adopt SMP composite hinge as actuator to apply into the structure of the wing which can realize draw back wings to change sweep angle according to the speed and other requirements of military airplanes. Finally, a series of simulations and experiments are performed to investigate the deformations of morphing wings have been performed successfully. It can be seen that the sweep angle change became large with the increment of initial angle. The area reduction became large with the increment of initial angle, but after 75° the area reduction became smaller and smaller. The deformations of the triangle wing became large with the increment of temperature. The area and the sweep angle of wings can be controlled by adjusting the stimulate temperature and the initial twisting angle of shape memory polymer composite hinge.

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“…For a morphing leading edge with eccentric beam actuation mechanism a 2-3 mm aluminum alloy and fiber composite skin were investigated, among others. Referring to Love et al (2004), a skin made out of 12 layers of glass fiber/epoxy (GF) with a symmetrical laminate …”

Section: Motivation and Basic Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Active and Morphing Aerospace Structures-A Synthesis between Advanced Materials, Structures and Mechanisms

Baier¹,

Datashvili²

2011

International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences

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Active and shape morphing aerospace structures are discussed with a focus on activities aimed at practical implementation. In active structures applications range from dynamic load alleviation in aircraft and spacecraft up to static and dynamic shape control. In contrast, shape morphing means strong shape variation according to different mission status and needs, aiming to enhance functionality and performance over wide flight and mission regimes. The interaction of required flexible materials with the morphing structure and the actuating mechanisms is specifically addressed together with approaches in design and simulation.

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Impact of Actuation Concepts on Morphing Aircraft Structures

Cited by 57 publications

References 4 publications

3D FEA simulation of segmented reinforcement variable stiffness composites

3D FEA simulation of segmented reinforcement variable stiffness composites

Investigation on adaptive wing structure based on shape memory polymer composite hinge

Active and Morphing Aerospace Structures-A Synthesis between Advanced Materials, Structures and Mechanisms

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