Periodic Reporting for period 3 - DEMMOW (Detailed Model of a Morphing Wing)
Okres sprawozdawczy: 2020-05-01 do 2021-05-31
The general context is to use morphing wings with e.g. droop nose and morphing trailing edge instead of the classical high-lift systems like slats and flaps since these last ones are expensive, complex and heavy, and are therefore not acceptable solutions for the current trends on efficient and green aircrafts. A solution based on morphing wing technology overcomes these limitations. Using a morphing wing concept, which will allow for an increase of the performances of the wing by adapting the wing morphology to the flight condition, is clearly in line with today's expected environmental, energetic and economic requirements.
The specific objective of the DEMMOW project is to investigate an efficient methodology that will be used to develop a high fidelity flexible and non-linear MBS-FEM model of a morphing wing including several structural components (composite box, morphing winglet and wingtip, droop nose and morphing adaptive trailing edge), with flexible parts (compliant mechanisms and flexible skins), kinematic joints, sensors, actuators and control devices included in the model. This model will be confronted to tests results on physical prototypes (conducted in another project) and it will be fine-tuned to conform to the tests. This MBS-FEM model will be a companion of the physical prototype, since it can be used to assess the structural performances and behavior in different configurations (structural integrity and capabilities), the mechanical system functionalities, verify the actuation and control chain, when testing on physical prototypes becomes too expensive and time consuming. Using virtual prototypes besides physical prototypes can increase a lot the competitiveness of the industry as the time to market and the price to develop the product are significantly reduced, and the design can be numerically validated and optimized. Using this digital twin of the physical prototype will allow to reduce significantly the time to go from TRL 4/5 to TRL 6/7 on the morphing wing concept.
Models of the different components were developped, as well as models of the wing for the winglet and wingtip configurations. Comparison to test results were only possible for winglet and wingtip, not mounted on the wing but tested on ground conditions with equivalent concentrated loads. Comparison of model and physical test results for the wingtip showed very good agreement. Regarding the winglet, it was concluded that the test rig should be modeled besides the winglet itself in order to have a close correlation between test and modeling results. Anyway, the winglet model was used to assess its behavior and determine the displacements and internal loads distribution in a loading configuration with variable pressure and moving control surfaces that couldn't be reproduced in laboratory. The digital twin concept then played its role, as expected at the beginning of the DEMMOW project.
The specific objective of the DEMMOW project is to investigate an efficient methodology that will be used to develop a high fidelity flexible and non-linear MBS-FEM model of a morphing wing including several structural components (composite box, morphing winglet and wingtip, droop nose and morphing adaptive trailing edge), with flexible parts (compliant mechanisms and flexible skins), kinematic joints, sensors, actuators and control devices included in the model. This model will be confronted to tests results on physical prototypes (conducted in another project) and it will be fine-tuned to conform to the tests. This MBS-FEM model will be a companion of the physical prototype, since it can be used to assess the structural performances and behavior in different configurations (structural integrity and capabilities), the mechanical system functionalities, verify the actuation and control chain, when testing on physical prototypes becomes too expensive and time consuming. Using virtual prototypes besides physical prototypes can increase a lot the competitiveness of the industry as the time to market and the price to develop the product are significantly reduced, and the design can be numerically validated and optimized. Using this digital twin of the physical prototype will allow to reduce significantly the time to go from TRL 4/5 to TRL 6/7 on the morphing wing concept.
Models of the different components were developped, as well as models of the wing for the winglet and wingtip configurations. Comparison to test results were only possible for winglet and wingtip, not mounted on the wing but tested on ground conditions with equivalent concentrated loads. Comparison of model and physical test results for the wingtip showed very good agreement. Regarding the winglet, it was concluded that the test rig should be modeled besides the winglet itself in order to have a close correlation between test and modeling results. Anyway, the winglet model was used to assess its behavior and determine the displacements and internal loads distribution in a loading configuration with variable pressure and moving control surfaces that couldn't be reproduced in laboratory. The digital twin concept then played its role, as expected at the beginning of the DEMMOW project.
WP1: Management and dissemination
The work carried out in WP1 from the beginning of the project is related to:
1/ usual management activities
2/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Implementation Agreement; Deliverable D1.1;
3/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Dissemination & Exploitation Plan (DEP);
Deliverable D1.2;
4/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Dissemination & Exploitation report;
Deliverable D1.3;
5/ Writing of final report
6/ Meetings with EU project officer and Topic Manager
WP2: Specifications, data, global methodology and architecture
The selection of the pieces of software for the development of the model has been done.
The wing box, to which the different morphing components will have to be attached, has been selected.
The data needed for the development of the morphing wing model was progressively provided.
Writing of deliverables:
1/ Specifications, data, modelling strategy (D2.1)
2/ Final description of the models (D2.2)
WP3: Modelling of the components
1/ Droop nose: model developed with different levels of fidelity; no official loading scenario received to validate the model; model validated with loading and droop nose motion defined by GDTech;
2/ Morphing flap: model developed; no official loading scenario received to validate the model; model validated with loading and flap motion defined by GDTech;
3/ Winglet: model developed; loading scenarios to apply on the winglet was received late; comparison to test result was done for one loading scenario ; simulation results were also obtained for another loading scenario that was not reproducible in laboratory;
4/ Wingtip: model developed; loading scenarios to apply on the wingtip was received late; comparison to test result was done for two loading scenarios;
5/ Wing box; model developed; no official loading was received;
Deliverables provided:
1/ D3.1: models of the single components without correlation with tests;
2/ D3.2: models of the single components (TE, WT, WL) with comparaison with tests.
WP4: Modelling of the full system and validation with tests on TE, WT, WL
The models of the full morphing wing are finished.
The models of the single components from D3.2 (with WL and WT compared to tests) are used to build the full wing models.
Two configurations were considered: wing mounted with winglet and wingtip.
Loading to apply on the full wing was not received.
Deliverables provided:
1/ D4.1: first model of the full wing without correlation with tests;
2/ D4.2: model of the full wing with comparaison with tests on TE, WT, WL.
Overview of the results:
- a methodology for FEM-MBS modeling of complex mechanical systems is available at GDTech
- models of the single components are available for the Topic Manager
- models of the full wing are available for the Topic Manager
Exploitation:
- Topic Manager can use the models as digital twins, to speed up the design and validation of the morphing wing concept;
- GDTech can propose new business on FEM-MBS modeling of complex mechanical systems to existing customers ad new prospects;
- GDTech and Topic Manager could go on working together in the topic, via commercial engineering projects.
Disemination activities done by GDTech:
- participation of GDTech to fairs, conferences and seminars (Aerospace Summit Brussels 21018; AEROMART Toulouse 2020; NAFEMS World Congress 2021)
- NAFEMS conference paper available on Researchgate and ORBI ULiège (free public depositories of scientific research)
- Advertisement about project results on LinkedIn
- Paper to be presented at EUCASS conference planned for 2021
The work carried out in WP1 from the beginning of the project is related to:
1/ usual management activities
2/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Implementation Agreement; Deliverable D1.1;
3/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Dissemination & Exploitation Plan (DEP);
Deliverable D1.2;
4/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Dissemination & Exploitation report;
Deliverable D1.3;
5/ Writing of final report
6/ Meetings with EU project officer and Topic Manager
WP2: Specifications, data, global methodology and architecture
The selection of the pieces of software for the development of the model has been done.
The wing box, to which the different morphing components will have to be attached, has been selected.
The data needed for the development of the morphing wing model was progressively provided.
Writing of deliverables:
1/ Specifications, data, modelling strategy (D2.1)
2/ Final description of the models (D2.2)
WP3: Modelling of the components
1/ Droop nose: model developed with different levels of fidelity; no official loading scenario received to validate the model; model validated with loading and droop nose motion defined by GDTech;
2/ Morphing flap: model developed; no official loading scenario received to validate the model; model validated with loading and flap motion defined by GDTech;
3/ Winglet: model developed; loading scenarios to apply on the winglet was received late; comparison to test result was done for one loading scenario ; simulation results were also obtained for another loading scenario that was not reproducible in laboratory;
4/ Wingtip: model developed; loading scenarios to apply on the wingtip was received late; comparison to test result was done for two loading scenarios;
5/ Wing box; model developed; no official loading was received;
Deliverables provided:
1/ D3.1: models of the single components without correlation with tests;
2/ D3.2: models of the single components (TE, WT, WL) with comparaison with tests.
WP4: Modelling of the full system and validation with tests on TE, WT, WL
The models of the full morphing wing are finished.
The models of the single components from D3.2 (with WL and WT compared to tests) are used to build the full wing models.
Two configurations were considered: wing mounted with winglet and wingtip.
Loading to apply on the full wing was not received.
Deliverables provided:
1/ D4.1: first model of the full wing without correlation with tests;
2/ D4.2: model of the full wing with comparaison with tests on TE, WT, WL.
Overview of the results:
- a methodology for FEM-MBS modeling of complex mechanical systems is available at GDTech
- models of the single components are available for the Topic Manager
- models of the full wing are available for the Topic Manager
Exploitation:
- Topic Manager can use the models as digital twins, to speed up the design and validation of the morphing wing concept;
- GDTech can propose new business on FEM-MBS modeling of complex mechanical systems to existing customers ad new prospects;
- GDTech and Topic Manager could go on working together in the topic, via commercial engineering projects.
Disemination activities done by GDTech:
- participation of GDTech to fairs, conferences and seminars (Aerospace Summit Brussels 21018; AEROMART Toulouse 2020; NAFEMS World Congress 2021)
- NAFEMS conference paper available on Researchgate and ORBI ULiège (free public depositories of scientific research)
- Advertisement about project results on LinkedIn
- Paper to be presented at EUCASS conference planned for 2021
Progress beyond the state of the art:
1/ full 3D model of a droop nose
2/ full model of the morphing flap
3/ full model of the winglet
Expected results:
1/ full models of the individual components (Droop nose, Morphing flap, Winglet, Wingtip, Wing box), some of the validated by physical testing.
2/ full model of the morphing wing
3/ use of digital twins to speed up design and validation of new products, avoid trial and errors on physical prototypes, and therefore save resources
Societal impact:
1/ Greener and more efficient aircrafts
1/ full 3D model of a droop nose
2/ full model of the morphing flap
3/ full model of the winglet
Expected results:
1/ full models of the individual components (Droop nose, Morphing flap, Winglet, Wingtip, Wing box), some of the validated by physical testing.
2/ full model of the morphing wing
3/ use of digital twins to speed up design and validation of new products, avoid trial and errors on physical prototypes, and therefore save resources
Societal impact:
1/ Greener and more efficient aircrafts