Structural Design of a Multifunctional Morphing Fowler Flap for a Twin-Prop Regional Aircraft

Author(s):  
Francesco Rea ◽  
Francesco Amoroso ◽  
Rosario Pecora ◽  
Maria Chiara Noviello ◽  
Maurizio Arena

In the framework of Clean Sky 2 Airgreen 2 (REG-IADP) European research project, a novel multifunctional morphing flap technology was investigated to improve the aerodynamic performances of the next Turboprop regional aircraft (90 passengers) along its flight mission. The proposed true-scale device (5 meters span with a mean chord of 0.6 meters) is conceived to replace and enhance conventional Fowler flap with new functionalities. Three different functions were enabled: overall airfoil camber morphing up to +30° (mode 1), +10°/−10° (upwards/downwards) deflections of the flap tip segment (mode 2), flap tip “segmented” twist of ±5° along the outer flap span (mode 3). Morphing mode 1 is supposed to be activated during take-off and landing only to enhance aircraft high-lift performances and steeper initial climb and descent. Thanks to this function, more airfoil shapes are available at each flap setting and therefore a dramatic simplification of the flap deployment system may be implemented. Morphing modes 2 and 3 are enabled in cruise and off-design flight conditions to improve wing aerodynamic efficiency. The novel structural concept of the three-modal morphing Fowler flap (3MMF) was designed according to the challenges posed by real wing installation issues. The proposed concept consists of a multi-box arrangement activated by segmented ribs with embedded inner mechanisms to realize the transition from the baseline configuration to different target aero-shapes while withstanding the aerodynamic loads. Lightweight and compact actuating leverages driven by electromechanical motors were properly synthesized to comply with stringent requirements for real aircraft implementation: minimum actuating torque, minimum number of motors, reduced weight, and available design space. The methodology for the kinematic design of the inner mechanisms is based on a building block approach where the instant center analysis tool is used to preliminary select the locations of the hinges’ leverages. The final geometry of the inner mechanisms is optimized to maximize the mechanical advantage as well as to provide the kinematic performances required by the three different morphing modes. The load-path was evaluated, and the cross-sectional size of leverages was subsequently optimized. Finally, actuating torques predicted by instant center analysis were compared to the calculated values from finite element analysis. The structural sizing process of the multi-box arrangement was carried out considering elementary methods, and results were compared with finite element simulations.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richárd Horváth ◽  
Vendel Barth ◽  
Viktor Gonda ◽  
Mihály Réger ◽  
Imre Felde

Abstract In this paper, we study the energy absorption of metamaterials composed of unit cells whose special geometry makes the cross-sectional area and the volume of the bodies generated from them constant (for the same enclosing box dimensions). After a parametric description of such special geometries, we analyzed by finite element analysis the deformation of the metamaterials we have designed during compression. We 3D printed the designed metamaterials from plastic to subject them to real compression. The results of the finite element analysis were compared with the real compaction results. Then, for each test specimen, we plotted its compaction curve. By fitting a polynomial to the compaction curves and integrating it (area under the curve), the energy absorption of the samples can be obtained. As a result of these investigations, we drew a conclusion about the relationship between energy absorption and cell number.


Author(s):  
Elizabeth K. Lai ◽  
G. K. Ananthasuresh

Abstract This paper is concerned with the shape optimization of structures to attain prescribed normal mode shapes. Optimizing structural members in order to have desired mode shapes, besides the desired natural frequencies, is of interest in some applications at both macro and micro scales. After reviewing the relevant past work on the “inverse mode shape” problem, a feasibility study using the lumped spring-mass models and finite element models of an axially vibrating bar is presented. Based on the observations made in the feasibility study with bars, a meaningful optimization problem is formulated and solved. Using finite element analysis and numerical optimization, a method for designing beam-like structures for prescribed mode shapes is developed. The method is demonstrated with an example of designing the cross-sectional area profile of a beam along its longitudinal axis to get a desired fundamental mode shape. The nonuniqueness of the solution is noted and avenues for future research are identified.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasileios A. Mamatsopoulos ◽  
Constantine Michailides ◽  
Efstathios E. Theotokoglou

Today, the offshore oil and gas and wind power industry is a heavily regulated segment, and current standards have established restrictions which yield a very limited weather window for submarine cable installations due to experience with cable failure in bad weather. There are two main limiting factors in current practice during cable installation of an S-lay configuration: the design criterion for the minimum allowable radius of curvature in the touch down point and the avoidance of axial compression in the touch down zone. Accurate assessment of the cable integrity during offshore installation has drawn great attention and is related to the existing available analysis and design tools. The main purpose of this paper is to develop and propose a quick and easy custom-made analysis tool, which is able to export similar results as sophisticated finite element analysis software. The developed tool utilizes analytical equations of a catenary-type submarine structure extended to account for varying cross-sections with different weights and/or stiffnesses, as is the real practice. A comparative study is presented in this paper to evaluate the significance for the modeling of the “out of water” cable segment required for accurate safety factor quantification during a laying operation. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed tool are proven through a validation study comparing the results and the computational effort and time with commercial finite element analysis software. The analysis error in the case of not modeling the “out of water” cable part is significant, especially in shallow water areas, which proves the importance of using the proposed analysis tool.


Author(s):  
Mohammad S. Davoud ◽  
Xiaomin Deng

Predictions of transient temperature distributions in welding can help the selection of welding process parameters that minimize residual stresses. A three-dimensional (3D) thermal finite element model of bead-on-plate gas metal are welding (GMAW) is presented and is used to evaluate a cross-sectional, two-dimensional (2D) counterpart model. While the thermomechanical problem of welding is 3D in nature, it is shown that the 2D model can provide temperature field predictions comparable to those of the 3D model, even though the 2D model tends to predict peak temperatures higher than those of the 3D model. Both types of model predictions are compared to welding test measurements.


Author(s):  
Vikalp Mishra ◽  
Krishnan Suresh

It is well recognized that 3D finite element analysis is inappropriate for analyzing thin structures such as plates and shells. Instead, a variety of highly efficient and specialized 2D methods have been developed for analyzing such structures. However, 2D methods pose serious automation challenges in today’s 3D design environment. Specifically, analysts must manually extract cross-sectional properties from a 3D computer aided design (CAD) model and import them into a 2D environment for analysis. In this paper, we propose two efficient yet easily automatable dual representation methods for analyzing thin plates. The first method exploits standard off-the-shelf 3D finite element packages and achieves high computational efficiency through an algebraic reduction process. In the reduction process, a 3D plate bending stiffness matrix is constructed from a 3D mesh and then projected onto a lower-dimensional space by appealing to standard 2D plate theories. In the second method, the analysis is carried out by integrating 2D shape functions over the boundary of the 3D plate. Both methods do not entail extraction of the cross-sectional properties of the plate. However, the user must identify the plate or thickness direction. The proposed methodologies are substantiated through numerical experiments.


Author(s):  
Shazia M. Alam ◽  
Mahdy Allam ◽  
Chittaranjan Sahay

The compressor stator assembly of a jet engine normally consists of stainless steel and Inconel alloys. Nickel based alloys can be also used as brazing material. Mechanical distortion of the stator assembly components may result during the brazing process. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the component materials, thermal history of manufacturing and operation also contribute to the stator deformation. The purpose of this work is to study the factors causing the distortion in vane stages. The study uses Finite Element Analysis tool ANSYS 5.7 for modeling the engine stator assembly. A finite element structural analysis of a single airfoil model is conducted at various repair points to assess the airfoil deformation and stress levels, before and after the brazing process. It is then used to identify materials and brazing parameters responsible for the observed distortion. The model analyzed shows general agreement between the numerical results and observations from the repair process. The probable causes of distortion are found and recommendations for fixing the distortion problem are also made.


2007 ◽  
Vol 344 ◽  
pp. 637-644 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerd Sebastiani ◽  
Alexander Brosius ◽  
Werner Homberg ◽  
Matthias Kleiner

Sheet Metal Spinning is a flexible manufacturing process for axially-symmetric hollow components. While the process itself is already known for centuries, process planning is still based on undocumented expertise, thus requiring specialized craftsmen for new process layouts. Current process descriptions indicate a vast scope of different dynamic influences while the underlying mechanical model uses a simple static approach. Thus, a 3D Finite Element Model of the process has been set up at IUL in order to analyze the process in detail, providing online as well as cross sectional data of the specimen formed. Within the scope of this article, the results of the above mentioned Finite Element Analysis (FEA) are presented and discussed with respect to the qualitative stress distributions introduced in the existing theoretical models. Main emphasis of this paper is set on a discussion of the qualitative stress distribution, which is, to the current state, only known in theory.


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