Active Control of Nonlinear Aeroelasticity

通过利用计算机模拟和风洞测试，可以确定气动弹性系统在一系列空速和系统参数组合、结构线性和非线性配置下的动态响应。包含一个或多个控制面使得能够探索多种控制方法，这些方法可以被定制以实现期望的结果，并且还可能潜在地引入由控制面产生的附加动态现象。该项目的主要目标是： 研究存在各种类型的结构非线性时气动弹性系统的动态行为； 研究非线性主动控制方法在减轻振动和/或规定此类系统的动力学方面的应用； 了解上述两项后，将阵风的影响包括在内，并研究系统的非受控（即没有主动控制）和受控（即应用主动控制）动态行为。上述目标包括： 模拟已可供使用的配备两个控制面（适用于风洞安装和测试）的柔性固定翼装置的各种配置的数值模型的气动弹性响应（主要使用Matlab、Simulink）； 运行动态测试（包括模态测试）以设计和定制适合在柔性固定翼装置中部署的非线性； 在项目的后期阶段，对柔性固定翼装置的各种配置进行线性和非线性的风洞实验理想的结果是，该项目开发了用于主动控制具有各种类型和水平的非线性的气动弹性系统的新方法，这些方法在阵风输入很大的情况下也很有效。在存在非线性和阵风输入的情况下控制气动弹性系统动力学的能力的提高（这两种现象在现实世界中都是非常真实的现象）将转化为实际的好处，例如飞机的寿命、提高乘客的舒适度、在设计过程中不需要过于保守的安全系数等，最终导致显着的成本节省和更环保的工程。

By utilising computer simulation and wind tunnel testing, the dynamic responses of an aeroelastic system can be determined for a range of airspeeds and combinations of system parameters, for both structurally linear and nonlinear configurations. The inclusion of one or more control surfaces enables the exploration of a variety of control methods that may be tailored to achieve a desired outcome, and could also potentially introduce additional dynamic phenomena arising from the control surface. The key aims of this project are: To investigate the dynamic behaviour of an aeroelastic system in the presence of various types of structural nonlinearity, To investigate the application of nonlinear active control methods to mitigate vibrations and/or prescribe the dynamics of such systems, Once an understanding of the above two items has been gained, to include the effects of gusts and investigate both uncontrolled (i.e. in the absence of active control) and controlled (i.e. with active control applied) dynamic behaviour of the system.The approach to be followed in meeting the above aims include: Simulating aeroelastic response (mainly using Matlab, Simulink) of a numerical model of various configurations of a flexible fixed-wing rig equipped with two control surfaces (suitable for wind tunnel mounting and testing), already available for use, Running dynamic tests (including modal testing) to design and customise nonlinearities that are appropriate for deployment in the flexible fixed-wing rig, At a later stage in the project, running wind tunnel experiments on various configurations of the flexible fixed-wing rig, for both linear and nonlinear cases, with and without gust inputs.The ideal outcome is that this project develops novel methods for active control of aeroelastic systems with various types and levels of nonlinearities, which are also effective in situations where gust inputs are significant. Such an increase in the ability to control the dynamics of aeroelastic systems in the presence of nonlinearities and gust inputs - both of which are very real phenomena in the real world - will translate to practical benefits such as longevity of aircraft, increase passenger comfort, not requiring overly conservative safety factors in the design process etc, ultimately resulting in significant cost savings and greener engineering.