Development and testing of an active trailing edge morphing demonstrator for a rotary wing

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Abstract

This paper discusses the development and whirl tower testing of an active translation induced camber morphing system for rotorcraft. The system deploys the morphing flap based on the amplitude and type of the input signal. As a case study, a demonstrator is developed and tested primarily under the centrifugal force generated by a whirl tower setup. The actuation system consists of amplified piezoelectric actuators, while the morphing skin is made out of carbon fiber prepreg composite material. The response of the morphing skin and the actuators is measured and compared to the numerical studies used to design the morphing demonstrator. Results indicate that the response of the active system, including the actuators and the flexible skin, matches well to those predicted during the numerical studies. The outcome of these studies shows that the system has the potential to be used for the primary control of the rotorcraft if operated at 1/revolution or for mitigating noise and vibration if operated at 2/revolution or higher frequencies. Subsequently, the concept can be integrated into a Mach-scaled rotor blade which can be tested under both aerodynamic and centrifugal loads to further assess its performance.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of ASME 2021 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2021
PublisherThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
Number of pages12
ISBN (Electronic)9780791885499
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
EventASME 2021 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2021 - Virtual, Online
Duration: 14 Sept 202115 Sept 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings of ASME 2021 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2021

Conference

ConferenceASME 2021 Conference on Smart Materials, Adaptive Structures and Intelligent Systems, SMASIS 2021
CityVirtual, Online
Period14/09/2115/09/21

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