| Abstract | A morphing wing can improve the aircraft aerodynamic performance by changing the wing airfoil depending on the flight conditions. In this paper, a new control methodology is presented for a morphing wing demonstrator tested in a subsonic wind tunnel in the open-loop configuration. Actuators integrated inside the wing are used to modify the flexible structure, which is an integral part of the wing. In this project, the actuators are made in-house and controlled with logic control, which is developed within the main frame of this work. The characterization of the flow (laminar or turbulent) over the wing is obtained starting from the pressure signals measured over the flexible part of the wing (upper surface). The signals are acquired by using some pressure sensors (Kulite sensors) incorporated in this flexible part of the wing upper surface. The technique used to collect Kulite pressure data and the post-processing methodology are explained. The recorded pressure data are sometimes subjected to noise, which is filtered before being processed. The standard deviation and power spectrum visualization of the pressure data approaches are used to evaluate the quality of the flow over the wing and estimate the transition point position in the area monitored by the Kulite sensors. In addition, infrared thermography visualization is implemented to observe the transition region over the entire wing upper surface, and to validate the methodology applied to the pressure data in this way. The demonstrator measures 1.5 m chordwise and 1.5 m spanwise. Four miniature actuators fixed on two actuation lines are used to morph the wing. The wing is also equipped with a rigid aileron. The experimental aerodynamic results obtained after post processing validate the numerical prediction for the transition location. |
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