Spatially Distributed Passively Deployable Structures for Stall Mitigation: A multi-scale structural approach
Abstract
When compared to natural flyers, unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) are not able to fly in complex flightconditions such as gust or high angles of attack maneuvers. One of the flight obstacles for UAVs duringthese flight conditions is flow reversal due to adverse pressure gradients. Flow reversal can lead toseparation and eventually stall. Birds that fly in the same flight conditions use their wings’ covert feathersto delay flow separation and mitigate stall. The goal of this work is to improve the performance of UAVsduring high angle of attack maneuvers and during gusty conditions. This goal will be achieved by designing,modeling and experimentally validating a compliant spatially distrusted passively deployable structuressystem that is inspired by the coverts feathers. Gradient based design optimization will be used to designsuch a system. The objective of the optimization is to maximize lift production, especially at high angles ofattack. Design parameters of the optimization include the deployable structures compliance, location, andsurface area. The optimization is wrapped around a two way weakly coupled aeroelastic model and theoutput will be the required deployable structure shape and deflection for optimal lift production. This workaligns with the Air Force strategic imperative of agility. If successful, the proposed deployable structuressystem will improve the agility and mission adaptability of UAVs. Moreover, the techniques developed inthis research are pertinent to vehicles and structures of various scales and mission profiles with applicationsin both the military and civilian sectors.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2018
- Source ID
- FA95501810298
Entities
People
- Aimy Wissa
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- United States Air Force
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign