Optimal Control and Energy Balance Evaluation of a Morphing Aircraft

Abstract

ORPHING aircraft are usually defined as aircraft that are capable of large or small changes in its configuration that produce an increase in the aircraft performance parameters, usually expanding its operational range.Examples of morphing technologies are high lift devices such as flaps and slats, which are used since very early times in aviation history. These technologies allow the aircraft wing to change its camber and increase its chord and area, allowing the aircraft to fly at lower speeds during take-off and landing. More recently, there has been some research on new ways of changing camber and wing area through usage of several types of novel and traditional actuators [18]. Camber morphing is performed using smart materials as actuators. Piezoceramic composite actuators were studied and optimized for camber morphing using fluid-structure interaction [1] and further developments of this technology led to wind tunnel and flight demonstration [2]. Other studies about hingeless camber morphing wings using elastomeric skin patches [3] and on the static aeroelastic behaviour of such devices using nonlinear models [4] were also made. Shape memory alloy is another example of a smart materials used in camber morphing actuation [24]. Studies on aerodynamic optimization and internal structure calculations have been performed [29] as well as studies on determinate structures [28], both for camber morphing. Aerodynamic optimization of spanwise camber morphing in a high aspect ratio wing [5] is another example of a study involving camber change.New concepts for the traditional flaps have also been subject of research. Flaps achieving specific shapes at the trailing edge were studied through nonlinear numerical models [6]. Other novel but simple