The use of active control surfaces to enhance the control of aircraft has become a
prevalent technique throughout the aerospace industry. Active control surfaces refer to
the use of the movements of the control surfaces on the wing, or even the twisting of the
wing itself, to control the aircraft. Phenomena such as Limited Cycle Oscillation and control
reversal at high airspeed are current problems plaguing modern aircraft; the use of active
control surfaces has the potential to be the solution. Furthermore, implementing active
control surfaces have been shown to increase the maximum lift coefficient of an aircraft
beyond conventional values. However, before active controls can be commercialized into
real aircraft, scaled models must be used to optimize their effectiveness. Wind tunnel tests
of actively controlled wing-stabilator models are instrumental to designing an effective
active control system for mass production.
prevalent technique throughout the aerospace industry. Active control surfaces refer to
the use of the movements of the control surfaces on the wing, or even the twisting of the
wing itself, to control the aircraft. Phenomena such as Limited Cycle Oscillation and control
reversal at high airspeed are current problems plaguing modern aircraft; the use of active
control surfaces has the potential to be the solution. Furthermore, implementing active
control surfaces have been shown to increase the maximum lift coefficient of an aircraft
beyond conventional values. However, before active controls can be commercialized into
real aircraft, scaled models must be used to optimize their effectiveness. Wind tunnel tests
of actively controlled wing-stabilator models are instrumental to designing an effective
active control system for mass production.
The project goal of the design team at Active Wing Technologies (AWT) was to
restore the wing-stabilator model, shown in figure 1, to working order and to modify the
model for use in studies requiring active control surfaces. The active wing group of the
spring 2002 semester recovered the wing-stabilator model from storage minus the
stabilator. The immediate goal of AWT was to rebuild the lost stabilator. However, the
decision was made to put the task of rebuilding the stabilator in abeyance until the design of
the modified stabilator was finalized.
restore the wing-stabilator model, shown in figure 1, to working order and to modify the
model for use in studies requiring active control surfaces. The active wing group of the
spring 2002 semester recovered the wing-stabilator model from storage minus the
stabilator. The immediate goal of AWT was to rebuild the lost stabilator. However, the
decision was made to put the task of rebuilding the stabilator in abeyance until the design of
the modified stabilator was finalized.
The active wing group of spring '02 focused research on current technological fields of
interest in which a working active wing-stabilator model would be of use; they provided a
solid foundation of information in the areas of LCO and control reversal. AWT has
expounded upon the work of the spring '02 active wing group. First, in working towards
constructing a functional active wing, a step back was taken to investigate the details of
how the original active wing model worked. The concepts of the original design were used in
attempting to implement current technology. Research conducted on implementation
schemes of active control surfaces were the basis on which ideas for implementing control
surfaces in our model were formed. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on possible
actuator power supplies that could be used to move a control surface in the current wing-
stabilator model. Cost-Benefit analysis was preformed to help decide the optimum power
supply to control the active control surfaces. Last, progress has been made in the area of
control electronics. AWT has shown that the use of analog control systems is still feasible in
the active wing project. However, a digital control system would be optimal to implement
complex control theory.
interest in which a working active wing-stabilator model would be of use; they provided a
solid foundation of information in the areas of LCO and control reversal. AWT has
expounded upon the work of the spring '02 active wing group. First, in working towards
constructing a functional active wing, a step back was taken to investigate the details of
how the original active wing model worked. The concepts of the original design were used in
attempting to implement current technology. Research conducted on implementation
schemes of active control surfaces were the basis on which ideas for implementing control
surfaces in our model were formed. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on possible
actuator power supplies that could be used to move a control surface in the current wing-
stabilator model. Cost-Benefit analysis was preformed to help decide the optimum power
supply to control the active control surfaces. Last, progress has been made in the area of
control electronics. AWT has shown that the use of analog control systems is still feasible in
the active wing project. However, a digital control system would be optimal to implement
complex control theory.
The responsibilities of the project were divided into three equal parts as follows: Basil
Philip doubles as team leader and the investigator of active control surface implementation;
Naoki Sato is in charge of studies on the optimal actuator power supply and research on
increasing the maximum lift coefficient; and David Fuentes heads the control system
research.
Philip doubles as team leader and the investigator of active control surface implementation;
Naoki Sato is in charge of studies on the optimal actuator power supply and research on
increasing the maximum lift coefficient; and David Fuentes heads the control system
research.
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