Smart Actuation Systems for Enhanced Aircraft Maneuver Performance.

Abstract : The final report describes an analytical development of a simulation algorithm based on the optimal control theory to compute flight maneuver loads using solid state actuators. A state space formulation including steady and unsteady air loads, and closed loop control laws has been derived to perform aeroelastic analyses and flight dynamics of flexible aircraft. The algorithm uses the Air Force sponsored optimization software, ASTROS, to generate necessary structural and aerodynamic data. A few flight maneuver cases have been exercised to show how a small amount of actuator power can perform 6.0 g pull-up maneuver of an aircraft of the size of F16 when distributed solid state actuators are used. This study also suggests that the solid state actuators must be able to travel large distances between contact points for minimum actuator power. Such large displacements and forces are achievable in piezoelectric devices such as the inchworm actuators.