Optimization of a Corrugated Skin for a Morphable Winglet

Abstract

This article presents an optimisation-driven design approach of skins on a wingtip device with morphing functionality to meet operational performance criteria. The aim of the research is to determine material compliance by means of corrugated skin shapes that permit tailored flexibility both in the chord and span wise direction whilst still maintaining sufficient structural strength to withstand aerodynamic loading. Additional design targets and restrictions include global mass of the morphing skin, global buckling, laminate strength, peak stress and manufacturing constraints in order to translate numerical solution into a production feasible sheet metal and composite solution.Nomenclature H A horizontal amplitude of corrugation geometry H O horizontal offset of corrugation geometry t free parameter in Bezier function V A vertical amplitude of corrugation geometry V O vertical offset of corrugation geometry W relative point weighting of corrugation geometry

On morphing wing for roll augmentation via material fitness using surrogate modelling

“…), exploring and exploiting the use of smart materials for actuation (Scherer, Martin, Appa, Kudva, & West, 1997), enhancing manoeuvrability through tailored aerodynamics (Voracek, Pendleton, Reichenbach, Griffin, & Welch, 2003), or a combination of technologies integrated into aircraft structures and aerodynamics (Love, Zink, Stroud, Bye, & Chase, 2004). More variability in shape change by means of combined scheduling and localised multidirectional shape change found applications via bistable composites (Lachenal, Weaver, & Daynes, 2012), aeroelastic tailoring (Li, Guo, & Xiang, 2012;Thuwis, 2012) or morphing winglets (Ursache & Mares, 2012;Ursache, Melin, Isikveren, & Friswell, 2007).…”

“…By and large, morphing concepts targeting large geometry changes are associated with theories based on non-linear post-critical structural deformation (Barrett & Vos, 2007;Ursache et al, 2006) or by means of mechanisms (Saggere & Kota, 1999;Ursache & Mares, 2012). Herein, means to provide global wing shape changes are based on a rather simplistic control law in order to improve upon wing aerodynamic properties with the benefit of low powered actuation control.…”