Experimental Development of Hingeless Aerodynamic Control Effectors

The effectiveness of solid state Synthetic Jet Actuators (SJA), as hingeless aerodynamic control effectors, was experimentally investigated on a three-dimensional wing in the Georgia Tech Research Institute Model Test Facility (MTF) low speed wind tunnel. Synthetic jet actuators were integrated into a half span wing model based on a modified NACA 0015 airfoil section. The model’s physical scale and test Reynolds Number were typical of small scale UAVs, providing a practical assessment of hingeless control approaches on t his class of flight vehicle. Longitudinal force and moment variations were measured in response to pulse repetition modulation inputs to a leading-edge SJA control effector . This hingeless control effector produced significant changes in lift and pitching moment in post stall operation, as well as eliminating stall hysteresis . The leading-edge SJA produced aerodynamic response similar to a slotted leading edge flap.