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Aerodynamic study of corrugated skins for morphing wing applications

Part of: Smart Aircraft

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

C. Thill ,
J. D. Downsborough ,
S. J. Lai ,
I. P. Bond  and
D. P. Jones
C. Thill
Affiliation:
c.thill@bristol.ac.uk, University of Bristol, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Bristol, UK
J. D. Downsborough
Affiliation:
c.thill@bristol.ac.uk, University of Bristol, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Bristol, UK
S. J. Lai
Affiliation:
c.thill@bristol.ac.uk, University of Bristol, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Bristol, UK
I. P. Bond
Affiliation:
c.thill@bristol.ac.uk, University of Bristol, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Bristol, UK
D. P. Jones
Affiliation:
c.thill@bristol.ac.uk, University of Bristol, Department of Aerospace Engineering, Bristol, UK
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Abstract

Corrugated structures offer a potential solution for morphing wing skin applications due to their anisotropic behaviour that allows chordwise camber and length changes. Aerofoils with corrugated skins in the aft 1/3 of the chordwise section have been studied experimentally and computationally using various corrugation shapes and forms (sinusoidal, trapezoidal and triangular) at different Reynolds numbers. The study showed that the aerodynamic performance is highly dependent on corrugation amplitude, wavelength, gradient (combination of amplitude and wavelength) and Reynolds number. Evidence is given highlighting that penalties for having a non-smooth surface in the aft 1/3 of the chordwise section of an aerofoil can be eliminated for the lift curve slope and minimised for the zero lift drag coefficient.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 114 , Issue 1154 , April 2010 , pp. 237 - 244
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2010 

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