Development of an Adaptive Wing Tip Device

The preliminary simulated and experimental investigation into the use of a wing tip all-moving device for passive gust alleviation and trim / roll control is described. Initial results on a simple rectangular wing demonstrate that the approach is feasible. Further investigations are made using a scaled half model joined-wing sensorcraft and show that through consideration of the attachment position and torsional stiffness it is possible to tune the device throughout flight to maximise the feasible gust response alleviation. Consideration is made of the feasibility of incorporating an adaptive torsional stiffness attachment that could be used to trim the device for more efficient flight, and also to enable roll control