Flight Dynamics and Control Using Folding Wingtips: An Experimental Study
Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Faculty of Engineering and the Environment, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
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Academic Editor: Konstantinos Kontis
Aerospace 2017, 4(2), 19; https://doi.org/10.3390/aerospace4020019
Received: 19 December 2016 / Revised: 8 March 2017 / Accepted: 14 March 2017 / Published: 26 March 2017
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Adaptive/Smart Structures and Multifunctional Materials 2016)
This paper presents an experimental investigation on using FOLDing wingtips sERving as cONtrol effectorS (FOLDERONS) for a mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). A representative off-the-shelf mini-UAV with a conventional configuration was selected. The main theme of this paper is to utilise FOLDERONS as a control effector (mainly in roll) to augment the control authority of conventional control surfaces. Furthermore, the impact of actuation rate on the effectiveness of FOLDERONS is assessed. The paper describes the preliminary and detailed design and sizing of the morphing wing. In addition, the manufacturing of the wing system and its integration with the UAV are addressed. Wind-tunnel testing in the RJ Mitchell wind-tunnel at the University of Southampton was performed. Both static (straight and sideslip) and dynamic (straight flight) tests are conducted at a range of airspeeds and Angles Of Attack (AOAs). The impact of folding wingtips on the lateral and directional stability is analysed. The main finding of this paper is that FOLDERONS are effective (especially at large dynamic pressure and AOAs) in controlling the lateral and directional stability. Finally, this study shows that FOLDERONS cannot fully replace conventional ailerons especially at low dynamic pressures, and their strong dependence on the AOA makes them prone to a roll reversal phenomena when the wing (and FOLDERONS) is operating at negative AOAs.
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Keywords:
morphing aircraft; flight control; wingtips
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MDPI and ACS Style
Mills, J.; Ajaj, R. Flight Dynamics and Control Using Folding Wingtips: An Experimental Study. Aerospace 2017, 4, 19.
AMA Style
Mills J, Ajaj R. Flight Dynamics and Control Using Folding Wingtips: An Experimental Study. Aerospace. 2017; 4(2):19.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMills, Josh; Ajaj, Rafic. 2017. "Flight Dynamics and Control Using Folding Wingtips: An Experimental Study" Aerospace 4, no. 2: 19.
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