Development of a full-size morphing winglet with space and weight constraints

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Development of morphing wings is a strategic research for aerospace industry worldwide. The goal is to improve the aerodynamic performance and minimize the fuel consumption by changing the shape of the aircraft wing on-the-fly. For the last three years, Ryerson had worked on a conceptual morphing wing prototype in collaboration with Bombardier Aerospace. A variable geometry wingbox (VGWB) based on the principle of variable geometry truss mechanism (VGTM) was developed and a two-module system was built and tested. In this project, we propose applying this technology to develop a full-size morphing winglet. To attach a morphing winglet to the wing, the first module will have to fit into a narrow dry section of the wing, imposing a tight space constraint. This module drives the second module, i.e. winglet, requiring an actuation system with high mechanical advantage, thus imposing a weight constraint. The practical considerations include: i) different morphing options including cant and toe combined, cant alone, various ranges of motion, flexible trailing edge at the winglet combined to cant, flexible trailing edge, to trade weight and complexity against aerodynamics benefit; ii) ensure that the proposed system is feasible from a mechanical perspective; iii) define the weight penalty of the morphing winglet; and iv) deliver a full scale prototype with actuators sized for the real loads. The proposed methodology will be developed through three research pillars: design, analysis and prototyping. The goal of the design pillar is to overcome the space and weight constraints through utilization of technologies including under-actuation, static balancing and flexible trailing edge. The goal of the analysis pillar is to develop a kineto-structural-aerodynamics analysis method looking at various morphing scenarios to evaluate weight and complexity against aerodynamics benefit and help find an optimal design. The goal of the prototyping pillar is to construct and test a full-size morphing winglet to demonstrate the morphing winglet technology. Through this project a number of HQP from PDF, PhD, Master's to undergraduate will be trained. Research results achieved through this project would put Canada in a leading position of morphing research.********************************************************