Morphing aircraft make use of a variable outer geometry to increase their flight performance and capability compared to conventional aircraft. This work provides a methodological framework for comprehensive and quantitative benefit assessment of morphing aircraft concepts. The basis for this is an overall evaluation of a morphing aircraft against the fixed and the all-morphing reference geometry, that represents the maximum theoretical technology potential. For this purpose, modelling and simulation methods for morphing aircraft including a continuously geometry optimisation throughout a flight mission are introduced and demonstrated for the example of a morphing wing. The application of the methodical approach is demonstrated for different mission goals and corresponding optimisation objectives while incorporating structural and operational constraints. Net benefits of different morphing concepts are evaluated for user-defined figures of merit and the incorporation of weight penalties. In this context, optimal morphing wing concepts with respect to fuel burn, turn rate, agility, manoeuvre load as well as weight penalties are determined for different missions. Additionally, structural and geometrical requirements as well as their impacts on the net benefits are derived which represent an important basis for the technical realisation of those morphing concepts. Therefore, this work represents an important link between top-down morphing aircraft benefit assessment and the bottom-up development of morphing system concepts. This can be used as a strategic decision-making tool for future technological developments for morphing aircraft.
Methodology for Benefit Assessment of Morphing Aircraft
2014
160 Seiten, Bilder, Tabellen, 150 Quellen
Theses
English
Methodology for Benefit Assessment of Morphing Aircraft
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