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The Zigzag wingbox for a span morphing wing

The Zigzag wingbox for a span morphing wing
The Zigzag wingbox for a span morphing wing
This paper presents the Zigzag wingbox concept that allows the wing span to be varied by 44% (22% extension and 22% retraction). The Zigzag wingbox consists of a rigid part and a morphing part. The rigid part is a semi-monocoque construction that houses the fuel tank and transfers the aerodynamic loads from the morphing part to the fuselage. The morphing part consists of various morphing partitions where in each partition there are two spars each consisting of two beams hinged together. Each morphing partition is covered by flexible skin and is bounded by two ribs through which the spars are connected. The ribs transfer the loads between the spars of adjacent morphing partitions and serves as the main structure to which the flexible skins are to be attached. The Zigzag wingbox concept is then incorporated in the rectangular wing of a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV to enhance its operational performance and provide roll control. Equivalent modelling and preliminary sizing of the concept are performed to assess its feasibility and quantify its potential benefits.
uav, morphing, zigzag wingbox, spars, skin, actuation
1270-9638
364-375
Ajaj, R.M.
ff8ce68d-2ba5-449e-83da-f2be54e6d409
Saavedra Flores, E.I.
51c7dfba-2289-4e4d-bfb8-17b10bb56458
Friswell, M.I.
e1f48951-f82e-4301-9a71-e32ce1188b00
Allegri, G.
8dd43a78-5f53-472f-853a-1b2fd7b129e4
Woods, B.K.S.
03b08a35-e89f-45f4-9fdc-e88557f10b65
Isikveren, A.T.
284fd344-669d-4eb0-ae93-e53599fa20c0
Dettmer, W.G.
7b67a592-8bbc-4174-ab22-9f046d089065
Ajaj, R.M.
ff8ce68d-2ba5-449e-83da-f2be54e6d409
Saavedra Flores, E.I.
51c7dfba-2289-4e4d-bfb8-17b10bb56458
Friswell, M.I.
e1f48951-f82e-4301-9a71-e32ce1188b00
Allegri, G.
8dd43a78-5f53-472f-853a-1b2fd7b129e4
Woods, B.K.S.
03b08a35-e89f-45f4-9fdc-e88557f10b65
Isikveren, A.T.
284fd344-669d-4eb0-ae93-e53599fa20c0
Dettmer, W.G.
7b67a592-8bbc-4174-ab22-9f046d089065

Ajaj, R.M., Saavedra Flores, E.I., Friswell, M.I., Allegri, G., Woods, B.K.S., Isikveren, A.T. and Dettmer, W.G. (2013) The Zigzag wingbox for a span morphing wing. Aerospace Science and Technology, 28 (1), 364-375. (doi:10.1016/j.ast.2012.12.002).

Record type: Article

Abstract

This paper presents the Zigzag wingbox concept that allows the wing span to be varied by 44% (22% extension and 22% retraction). The Zigzag wingbox consists of a rigid part and a morphing part. The rigid part is a semi-monocoque construction that houses the fuel tank and transfers the aerodynamic loads from the morphing part to the fuselage. The morphing part consists of various morphing partitions where in each partition there are two spars each consisting of two beams hinged together. Each morphing partition is covered by flexible skin and is bounded by two ribs through which the spars are connected. The ribs transfer the loads between the spars of adjacent morphing partitions and serves as the main structure to which the flexible skins are to be attached. The Zigzag wingbox concept is then incorporated in the rectangular wing of a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV to enhance its operational performance and provide roll control. Equivalent modelling and preliminary sizing of the concept are performed to assess its feasibility and quantify its potential benefits.

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e-pub ahead of print date: 21 December 2012
Published date: July 2013
Keywords: uav, morphing, zigzag wingbox, spars, skin, actuation
Organisations: Aerodynamics & Flight Mechanics Group

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 358281
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/358281
ISSN: 1270-9638
PURE UUID: 3bde106e-16c5-4163-a7bc-48a5195a209f

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Date deposited: 02 Oct 2013 16:29
Last modified: 14 Mar 2024 15:03

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Contributors

Author: R.M. Ajaj
Author: E.I. Saavedra Flores
Author: M.I. Friswell
Author: G. Allegri
Author: B.K.S. Woods
Author: A.T. Isikveren
Author: W.G. Dettmer

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