Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The Research Aerial System RAS, that is a modified version of the UAS-S4, was designed and manufactured by Hydra Technologies, and will be used to conceive new methodologies for morphing vehicles design, as follows: 1. Baseline RAS aerodynamic and structural analysis Using data provided by Hydra Technologies, aerodynamic and structural analyses will be performed to obtain the aerodynamic and structural loads. 2. Morphing RAS aerodynamics, structural and control analyses An optimization of aerodynamic and structural loads interactions will be performed to obtain the optimal actuators? displacements as a function of their applied loads on the flexible skin of the RAS wings, with the goal of obtaining the desired aerodynamic performance of the RAS morphing wing, expressed in terms of drag reduction, transition delay, stall angle, lift increase, and others. The length and position of the morphed upper surface of the wing, including its leading edge shape, and the positions and types of the actuators will be determined. The wind tunnel structural model of the morphing wing equipped with actuators and sensors will be designed and manufactured in collaboration with Hydra Technologies. Bench tests will take place at the LARCASE for the verification and validation of the control system. 3. Wind tunnel tests of the baseline and the morphing RAS After the optimization of the number and types of actuators and pressure sensors, the controller systems for the morphing wing, including changes in the wing, aileron and flaps designs will be used for the improvement of aerodynamic performances. The interactions between these control systems laws, the aerodynamic and structural loads of the morphing wing will be analyzed and experimentally validated in the Price-Païdoussis subsonic wind tunnel at the LARCASE. Various new methodologies for the validation of open and closed loop controller systems designs will be conceived and evaluated. 4. Flight dynamics model identification and validation of the RAS The flight dynamics model of the baseline and of the morphing RAS will be identified and validated using the Hydra Technologies flight simulator, as well as flight tests, and geometrical data. 5. Aerodynamic performance comparison between the original and the morphing RAS A comparison between the original and the morphing RAS aerodynamic performances will be conducted. The originality of this research resides in the analysis of aerodynamic and structural load interactions with controller systems laws and in the conception of new modeling, simulation and control techniques, which will be experimentally validated on a morphed RAS with the goal of improving aerodynamic performance, and reducing fuel consumption. In long term, changes in design of morphing wings, including ailerons and flaps will also be analysed, as well as the replacement of traditional wings, ailerons and flaps of the RAS with morphing wings.