3D Design of a Large-Displacement Droop-Nose Wing Device

The 3D structural design of a morphing droop-nose device for a new high-lift system is presented in this paper. This new type of high-lift system is anticipated to reduce airframe noise, takeoff and landing speeds and thus runway length, and be capable of actively producing a range of lift coefficients as per demand. A structural design process using optimization tools was further developed and applied to the case of large target deflections required for this high-lift system. The results of the 3D optimization of thickness distribution, stringer position, and force introduction points on a hybrid fiberglass-elastomeric composite skin showed close agreement to the target shapes under different aerodynamic load cases. The design of a kinematic system of linkages was also performed and upon input actuation the outer surface conformed to the target aerodynamic shapes. Required actuator torque in this design was shown to be high in the order of 3600 Nm thought actuators are available which meet the internal space requirements. Reported strains were within design limits in the order of 1.5%. The design is set to be refined in the near future with manufacturing and ground tests to follow.