Actuation needs for an adaptive trailing edge device aimed at reducing fuel consumption on a regional aircraft

This paper deals with the definition of the actuation specifications, needed to implement an Adaptive Trailing Edge Device (ATE device) for a medium-size aircraft (3-hours flight range). It is well known that the weight reduction occurring during flight as consequence of the burned fuel, moves the aerodynamic configuration through a domain that can be far away from the unique design working point. The aircraft then flies into a non-optimal pattern for a great extension of its mission. An ATE device is able to compensate these effects by modifying the wing camber and attaining significant fuel savings (estimated around 3%) or, alternatively, increasing operative range. The device architecture is basically made of a structural kinematic chain (aimed at modulating the transmitted force/displacement) and an actuator. Starting from preliminary aerodynamic calculation of the pressure field over the wing profile and a model of the segmented structure aimed at reproducing the targeted profile shapes during cruise, a multibody model has been set up. The force levels on the driving system have been then computed. Based on this information and the reference geometry, the main characteristics (as for instance, necessary actuation force, angular displacement and necessary room) have been herein calculated. The research leading to these results has been gratefully funded by the European Union inside the 7th Framework Programme (FP7/2007- 2013) under Grant Agreement n° 284562.