Aerodynamic coefficients modeling using Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and network

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to propose a new aerodynamic parameter estimation methodology based on neural network and output error method, while the output error method is improved based on particle swarm algorithm. Design/methodology/approach Firstly, the algorithm approximates the dynamic characteristics of aircraft based on feedforward neural network. Neural network is trained by extreme learning machine, and the trained network can predict the aircraft response at (k + 1)th instant given the measured flight data at kth instant. Secondly, particle swarm optimization is used to enhance the convergence of Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm, and the improved LM method is used to substitute for the Gauss Newton algorithm in output error method. Finally, the trained neural network is combined with the improved output error method to estimate aerodynamic derivatives. Findings Neither depending on the initial guess of the parameters to be estimated nor requiring numerical integration of the aircraft motion equation, the proposed algorithm can be used for unstable aircraft and is successfully applied to extract aerodynamic derivatives from both simulated and real flight data. Research limitations/implications The proposed method requires iterative calculation and can only identify parameters offline. Practical implications The proposed method is successfully applied to estimate aircraft aerodynamic parameters and can also be used as a new algorithm for other optimization problems. Originality/value In this study, the output error method is improved to reduce the dependence on the initial value of parameters and expand its application scope. It is applied in aircraft aerodynamic parameter identification together with neural network.

The investigation on flight quality of tilt-rotor aircraft

Purpose This paper aims to present an investigation on flight quality analysis and design of tilt-rotor aircraft combined with corresponding flight quality specifications. Design/methodology/approach From the perspective of modal characteristics of tilt-rotor aircraft, it focuses on the analysis of the change rules of the longitudinal short-term motion mode, lateral roll convergence mode, spiral mode and Dutch roll mode. Then, the flight quality design research is carried out using the explicit model tracking control method. The quantitative relationship between flight quality requirements and explicit model is established. Accordingly, the closed-loop flight quality of XV-15 tilt-rotor aircraft is evaluated. Findings The stability of spiral mode is the result of the interaction of various aerodynamic derivatives and spiral instability occurs in helicopter mode. The other motion modes are stable in full flight mode and meet the requirements of level 1 specified in ADS-33E-PRF and MIL-F-8785C flight quality specifications. There is a quantitative relationship between flight quality requirements and explicit model, and the flight quality of tilt-rotor aircraft is improved through the explicit model tracking control method. Practical implications The presented analysis results showed the influence of motion modes and flight quality and the effectiveness of explicit model tracking control method in flight quality improvement, which could be considered as new information for further flight quality design of tilt-rotor aircraft. Originality/value The originality of the paper lies in the proposed design and analysis method of the flight quality of tilt-rotor aircraft from the direction of the influence of its aerodynamic derivatives and motion modes.

Wind response sensitivities of a long suspension bridge

<p>The sensitivities of wind-induced design section forces in the main girder of a suspension bridge with a span greater than 1000m are determined under variation of 20 different wind response calculation parameters. The investigated parameters cover turbulence characteristics such as length scales and correlation decay constants, as well as aerodynamic properties of the structure including both static coefficients and aerodynamic derivatives. The response calculations are performed considering both fully correlated static mean wind effects as well as low-frequent quasi-static and resonant turbulence effects. The study further comprises a detailed assessment of the convergence of stresses in the main girder as a function of number of included eigenmodes. Additionally, a full multi-modal response calculation including aeroelastic coupling effects is performed to quantify the accuracy of the simpler mode-by-mode calculation method.</p>

Identification of Fixed-Wing Micro Aerial Vehicle Aerodynamic Derivatives from Dynamic Water Tunnel Tests

A micro air vehicle (MAV) is a class of miniature unmanned aerial vehicles that has a size restriction and may be autonomous. Fixed-wing MAVs are very attractive for outdoor surveillance missions since they generally offer better payload and endurance capabilities than rotorcraft or flapping-wing vehicles of equal size. This research paper describes the methodology applying indicial function theory and artificial neural networks for identification of aerodynamic derivatives for fixed-wing MAV. The formulation herein proposed extends well- known aerodynamic theories, which are limited to thin aerofoils in incompressible flow, to strake wing planforms. Using results from dynamic water tunnel tests and indicial functions approach allowed to identify MAV aerodynamic derivatives. The experiments were conducted in a water tunnel in the course of dynamic tests of periodic oscillatory motion. The tests program range was set at high angles of attack and a wide scope of reduced frequencies of angular movements. Due to a built-in propeller, the model’s structure test program was repeated for a turned-on propelled drive system. As a result of these studies, unsteady aerodynamics characteristics and aerodynamic derivatives of the micro-aircraft were identified as functions of state parameters. At the Warsaw University of Technology and the Air Force Institute of Technology, a “Bee” fixed wings micro aerial vehicle with an innovative strake-wing outline and a propeller placed in the wing gap was worked. This article is devoted to the problems of identification of aerodynamic derivatives of this micro-aircraft. The result of this research was the identification of the aerodynamic derivatives of the fixed wing MAV “Bee” as non-linear functions of the angle of attack, and reduced frequency. The identification was carried out using the indicial function approach.

The Effects of Icing on Aircraft Longitudinal Aerodynamic Characteristics

To study the effects of ice accretion on the longitudinal aerodynamic characteristics of an aircraft, a two-part method for predicting longitudinal aerodynamic derivatives of iced aircraft is proposed. For the aircraft with a flight test, a parameter identification system based on maximum likelihood criterion and a longitudinal nonlinear flight dynamics model is established. For the aircraft without a flight test, an engineering prediction method of aerodynamic derivatives based on an individual component CFD calculation and narrow strip theory is established. According to the flight test data of DHC-6 Twin Otter aircraft from NASA, the longitudinal aerodynamic parameters of both clean and artificially iced aircraft are obtained. Additionally, the longitudinal aerodynamic derivatives of the iced aircraft are calculated. Then, the correctness of the prediction method is verified by comparing the calculated results with the identification results. The comparison of these results shows that the prediction method is correct and accurate, and it can be used to calculate the effects of icing on the aircraft longitudinal aerodynamic parameters.