Wings that change shape
Anyone with an aisle seat has noticed the wing slats on the leading edge of aircraft wings raise and lower. They help manoeuvre the plane take-off and land safely. Morphing leading edges are among the newest wing concepts. They are proposed to reduce drag and noise, changing the shape of the wing seamlessly to achieve target airfoil shape. Less drag also results in lower fuel consumption translating to decreased emissions. Actual implementation of morphing wing concepts using conventional materials such as aluminium has proved challenging. EU-funded scientists exploiting in-house aeroelastic design tools have now produced a demonstrator within the context of the project 'Leading edge actuation topology design and demonstration' (LEATOP). The technology includes an actuator system and required skin stiffness distribution whose feasibility was verified using finite element analysis. The system relies largely on aluminium, used for the kinematic system to deform the wing and the morphing skin itself. In a specially designed test rig, weights corresponding to expected loads were applied in predefined directions and strain and displacement measurements were made. LEATOP successfully demonstrated an actuator system and morphing skin that can meet morphed target shape and preserve cruise airfoil shape under cruise loads. The EU’s ambitious research programme to develop greener aircraft is now one step closer to realisation. Commercialisation will not only benefit the environment but also EU aircraft manufacturers who will be at the forefront of the latest technology.
