Module discretization and consolidation of a modular morphing wing

Abstract

A morphing wing is designed to morph to different wing profiles required for different flight regimes. Such a design is based on modules, and discretization of different wing profiles will yield different sets of modules. In this paper, a novel wing module consolidation methodology is developed to consolidate different sets of modules to a common set of modules for a unified modular morphing wing design. Initial wing profiles are created for different flight regimes using an optimization algorithm coupled with a fluid solver. These wing profiles are then smoothened, and used as reference geometries for module discretization. The results of discretized wings are then consolidated using a sensitivity analysis and a weighting function that allows the designer to assign a higher priority to a specific flight regime. A case study, showing the implementation of this methodology for climb, cruise, and descent flight regimes, reveals that the consolidated wing can be morphed to approximate the original wing profi...