Development and testing of an active trailing edge morphing demonstrator for a rotary wing

Conference paper (2021)

Authors

Y. Zahoor Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics - Aerospace Engineering
J. Sodja Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics - Aerospace Engineering
R. De Breuker Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics - Aerospace Engineering
M. Voskuijl Netherlands Defence Academy
Research Group
Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics (Aerospace Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2021 Y. Zahoor, J. Sodja, R. De Breuker, M. Voskuijl
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1115/SMASIS2021-67590
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Published Date

2021

Language

English

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Faculty

Aerospace Engineering

Department

Aerospace Structures & Materials

Research Group

Aerospace Structures & Computational Mechanics

Abstract

This paper discusses the development and whirl tower testing of an active translation induced camber morphing system for rotorcraft. The system deploys the morphing flap based on the amplitude and type of the input signal. As a case study, a demonstrator is developed and tested primarily under the centrifugal force generated by a whirl tower setup. The actuation system consists of amplified piezoelectric actuators, while the morphing skin is made out of carbon fiber prepreg composite material. The response of the morphing skin and the actuators is measured and compared to the numerical studies used to design the morphing demonstrator. Results indicate that the response of the active system, including the actuators and the flexible skin, matches well to those predicted during the numerical studies. The outcome of these studies shows that the system has the potential to be used for the primary control of the rotorcraft if operated at 1/revolution or for mitigating noise and vibration if operated at 2/revolution or higher frequencies. Subsequently, the concept can be integrated into a Mach-scaled rotor blade which can be tested under both aerodynamic and centrifugal loads to further assess its performance.