Airfoil morphing based on SMA actuation technology

Purpose – This study aims to develop an innovative actuator for improving the performance of future aircraft, by adapting the airfoil shape according to the flight conditions. The flap’s camber of a civil regional transportation aircraft’s trailing edge actuated and morphed with the use of shape memory alloys (SMA) actuator technology, instead of the conventional split flap mechanism is studied. Design/methodology/approach – For the flap’s members sizing an efficient methodology is utilised based on finite element (FE) stress analysis combined to analytically formulated design criteria. A mechanical simulation within an FE approach simulated the performance of the moving rib, integrating both aerodynamic loads and SMA phenomenology, implementing Lagouda’s constitutive model. Aim of this numerical simulation is to provide guidelines for further development of the flap. A three-dimensional assembly of the flap is constructed to produce manufacturing drawing and to ensure that during its morphing no interfer...

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