Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - DEMMOW (Detailed Model of a Morphing Wing)

Teaser

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...

Summary

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.

Work performed

WP1: Management and dissemination
The work carried out in WP1 during the reporting period is related to:
1/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Implementation Agreement; Deliverable D1.1;
2/ Writing and the submission to the EU portal of the Dissemination & Exploitation Plan (DEP); Deliverable D1.2;

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 are progressively provided.

WP3: Modelling of the components
1/ Droop nose: activity started; model developed with different levels of fidelity; still some adaptations for the future connection to the wing box; possible update wrt final design from core partners;
2/ Morphing flap: activity started; model developed from CAD data; still some elements to integrate (like tracks); possible update wrt final design from core partners;
3/ Winglet: activity started; model developed; still some adaptations for the future connection to the wing box; possible update wrt final design from core partners;
4/ Wingtip: activity started; model developed; possible update wrt final design from core partners;
5/ Wing box; warm up/training for modeling on a representative model; waiting for the final selected model for the morphing wing

WP4: no activity

Final results

Progress beyond the state of the art:
1/ full 3D model of a droop nose

Expected results:
1/ full models of the individual components (Droop nose, Morphing flap, Winglet, Wingtip,Wing box), some of the validated by physical testing.

Societal impact:
1/ Greener and more efficient aircrafts