Dynamic characteristics analysis and flight control design for oblique wing aircraft

The movement characteristics and control response of oblique wing aircraft (OWA) are highly coupled between the longitudinal and lateral-directional axes and present obvious nonlinear-ity. Only with the implementation of flight control systems can flying qualities be satisfied. This arti-cle investigates the dynamic modeling of an OWA and analyzes its dynamic characteristics. Furthermore, a flight control law based on model-reference dynamic inversion is designed and ver-ified. Calculations and simulations show that OWA can be trimmed by rolling a bank angle and deflecting the triaxial control surfaces in a coordinated way. The oblique wing greatly affects lon-gitudinal motion. The short-period mode is highly coupled between longitudinal and lateral motion, and the bank angle also occurs in phugoid mode. However, the effects of an oblique wing on lateral mode shape are relatively small. For inherent control characteristics, symmetric deflection of the horizontal tail will generate not only longitudinal motion but also a large rolling rate. Rolling moment and pitching moment caused by aileron deflection will reinforce motion coupling, but rud-der deflection has relatively little effect on longitudinal motion. Closed-loop simulations demon-strate that the flight control law can achieve decoupling control for OWA and guarantee a satisfactory dynamic performance.     

折叠机翼变体飞机非对称变形控制效率分析

折叠机翼变体飞机变形量大,变形引起的气动参数变化显著,提出一种将非对称变形作为操纵输入的控制方案,研究非对称变形的控制效率和有效区间。首先建立能够完整描述变形过程的非线性动力学方程和气动力模型;然后基于非对称变形控制方法建立一种非对称变形操纵模型;最后通过与常规操纵面效率对比和仿真的动态响应总结出非对称变形操纵的最大变形操纵有效区间。结果表明:在较低飞行速度下非对称变形操纵效率高,非对称变形操纵能够在基准折叠角度90°附近提供最高的滚转操纵效率。     

折叠翼变体飞行器非定常气动特性实验研究

折叠翼变体飞行器是一种可以在飞行中改变自身气动外形的新型飞行器。研制出了一种折叠翼变体飞行器的风洞实验模型,在风洞实验中测得了模型不同变体位置下的气动力以及进行变体运动时气动力的动态变化过程,并通过PIV实验手段获得模型周围的流场在变体运动过程中的变化情况。结果表明：在机翼变形过程中,折叠翼模型有明显的非定常气动现象产生,而且折叠变形的速度越大,非定常现象越明显。出现非定常现象的主要原因是变体运动对机翼前缘涡的影响。     

弯折翼尖对飞翼布局飞机气动特性影响

为提升无尾飞翼布局飞机航向控制能力,以典型飞翼布局飞机模型为研究对象设计了翼尖可绕弦线方向偏转结构。基于FL-14风洞单自由度动态试验系统开展了静态和动导数试验,研究了飞翼布局飞机基本气动特性及翼尖偏转对全机气动特性的影响。结果表明：无尾飞翼布局飞机航向呈静不稳定,航向动稳定性极弱,航向增稳设计及控制很有必要;翼尖偏转有助于增强飞机的航向静、动稳定性,并很好地解决了传统阻力类舵面航向增稳时导致全机升阻比下降气动效率降低的问题;翼尖偏转能够有效改善飞翼布局飞机恶化的荷兰滚模态使之趋近于常规布局飞机模态,这有利于简化飞机横航向控制律设计方法。弯折翼尖结构具有舵面少、效率高的特点,是航向增稳的有效手段,具有应用价值。     

Z型翼变体飞机的纵向多体动力学特性

机翼变形时,变体飞机的翼面积、惯性特性、全机焦点和重心位置等均会发生较大的变化,从而引起飞机的动态特性也随之改变。为此对机翼变形过程中的Z型翼变体飞机进行了纵向多体动力学建模仿真;推导了变形过程中变体飞机的六自由度非线性动力学方程,并通过简化得到了解耦后的纵向动力学方程。机翼折叠动态过程的气动特性数值模拟结果表明,不同折叠角速度下飞机的气动力相差不大。在机翼折叠角速度较小且忽略非定常气动效应的情况下,采用气动力准定常假设对变形过程中不同机翼折叠角速度下变体飞机的纵向响应进行了数值仿真,并研究了重心位置移动和气动特性变化对飞机变形过程动态特性的影响规律。结果表明,折叠过程中气动特性的变化是影响飞机动态特性的主要因素,机翼折叠后飞机的速度和迎角增加,且飞行高度下降较大。     

Flight dynamics characteristics of canard rotor/wing aircraft in helicopter flight mode

The aerodynamic layout of the Canard Rotor/Wing(CRW) aircraft in helicopter flight mode differs significantly from that of conventional helicopters. In order to study the flight dynamics characteristics of CRW aircraft in helicopter mode, first, the aerodynamic model of the main rotor system is established based on the blade element theory and wind tunnel test results. The aerodynamic forces and moments of the canard wing, horizontal tail, vertical tail and fuselage are obtained via theoretical analysis and empirical formula. The flight dynamics model of the CRW aircraft in helicopter mode is developed and validated by flight test data. Next, a method of model trimming using an optimization algorithm is proposed. The flight dynamics characteristics of the CRW are investigated by the method of linearized small perturbations via Simulink. The trim results are consistent with the conventional helicopter characteristics, and the results show that with increasing forward flight speed, the canard wing and horizontal tail can provide considerable lift,which reflects the unique characteristics of the CRW aircraft. Finally, mode analysis is implemented for the linearized CRW in helicopter mode. The results demonstrate that the stability of majority modes increases with increasing flight speed. However, one mode that diverges monotonously,and the reason is that the CRW helicopter mode has a large vertical tail compared to the conventional helicopter. The results of the dynamic analysis provide optimization guidance and reference for the overall design of the CRW aircraft in helicopter mode, and the model developed can be used for control system design.     

倾转旋翼飞行器旋翼对机翼向下载荷计算模型

针对倾转旋翼飞行器悬停和小速度前飞的直升机飞行模式下旋翼下洗流对机翼的气动干扰影响,建立了一个机翼向下载荷的计算模型.该模型中,最关键的是建立旋翼对机翼的气动干扰面积模型.此模型考虑了倾转旋翼飞行器几何尺寸条件、发动机短舱倾转角和飞行状态等参数.最后将此模型集成到XV-15倾转旋翼飞行器飞行动力学模型中,进行配平计算,...     

一种折叠弹翼悬挂物的分离轨迹试验技术

提出了一种新的折叠弹翼悬挂物机弹分离轨迹试验技术,重点解决了在机弹分离过程中折叠弹翼动态展开时悬挂物的气动力获取问题。研究表明,提出的试验技术通过将悬挂物气动力修正方法引入到悬挂物分离安全性研究当中,准确地得到悬挂物的分离特性,解决了折叠弹翼悬挂物分离轨迹风洞试验技术瓶颈,为折叠弹翼悬挂物的投放分离安全性提供一套工程实用的解决方案。     

Three-axis coupled flight control law design for flying wing aircraft using eigenstructure assignment method

Due to elimination of horizontal and vertical tails, flying wing aircraft has poor longitudinal and directional dynamic characteristics. In addition, flying wing aircraft uses drag rudders for yaw control, which tends to generate strong three-axis control coupling. To overcome these problems, a flight control law design method that couples the longitudinal axis with the lateral-directional axes is proposed. First, the three-axis coupled control augmentation structure is specified. In the structure, a “soft/hard” cross-connection method is developed for three-axis dynamic decoupling and longitudinal control response decoupling from the drag rudders; maneuvering turn angular rate estimation and subtraction are used in the yaw axis to improve the directional damping. Besides, feedforward control is adopted to improve the maneuverability and control decoupling performance. Then, detailed design methods for feedback and feedforward control parameters are established using eigenstructure assignment and model following technique. Finally, the proposed design method is evaluated and compared with conventional method by numeric simulations. The influences of control derivatives variation of drag rudders on the method are also analyzed. It is demonstrated that the method can effectively improve the dynamic characteristics of flying wing aircraft, especially the directional damping characteristics, and decouple the longitudinal responses from the drag rudders.     

Delaying stall of morphing wing by periodic trailing-edge deflection

Morphing wings can improve aircraft performance during different flight phases. Recently research has focused on steady aerodynamic characteristics of the morphing wing with a flexible trailing-edge, and the unsteady aerodynamic and stall characteristics in the deflection process of the morphing wing are worthy further investigation. The effects of the angle of attack and deflection rate on aerodynamic characteristics were examined, and based on the aerodynamic characteristics of the morphing wing, a method was developed to delay stall by using the flexible periodic trailing-edge deflection. The numerical results show that the lift coefficients in the deflection process are smaller than those in the static situation at small angles of attack, and that the higher the deflection rate is, the smaller the lift coefficients will be. On the contrary, at large angles of attack, the lift coefficients are higher than those in the static case, and they become larger with the increase of the deflection rate. Further, the periodic deflection of the flexible trailing-edge with a small deflection amplitude and high deflection rate can increase lift coefficients at the critical stall angle.     

鸭式旋翼/机翼飞机悬停状态飞行动力学特性

针对鸭式旋翼/机翼(Canard Rotor/Wing,CRW)飞机独特的气动布局,常规的分析方法及经验公式很难准确地对CRW飞机进行飞行动力学研究,通过飞行辨识对CRW飞机悬停状态特性进行了研究。首先,设计了飞行试验并获得了高质量的飞行数据,基于频率响应对CRW飞机的状态空间模型进行了简化。然后,在频域内对飞机的动力学参数进行了拟合优化,获得了CRW飞机悬停状态的动力学模型,并用飞行数据对所建模型进行了验证。最后,用辨识所得参数与常规直升机悬停状态时的参数进行了对比。结果显示悬停时CRW飞机的操纵导数和阻尼导数均比常规直升机小,经分析,操纵导数的减小主要是CRW飞机独特的旋翼设计所致,阻尼导数减小的原因主要是旋翼气动影响以及鸭翼、平尾、垂尾的结构影响。动力学特性分析结果为CRW飞机旋翼模式总体设计的进一步优化提供了指引和参考,所建立的模型可用于控制系统设计。     

Gain self-scheduled H_∞ control for morphing aircraft in the wing transition process based on an LPV model

This article investigates gain self-scheduled H 1 robust control system design for a tailless fold- ing-wing morphing aircraft in the wing shape varying process. During the wing morphing phase, the aircraft’s dynamic response will be governed by time-varying aerodynamic forces and moments. Nonlinear dynamic equations of the morphing aircraft are linearized by using Jacobian linearization approach, and a linear parameter varying (LPV) model of the morphing aircraft in wing folding is obtained. A multi-loop controller for the morphing aircraft is formulated to guarantee stability for the wing shape transition process. The proposed controller uses a set of inner-loop gains to provide stability using classical techniques, whereas a gain self-scheduled H 1 outer-loop controller is devised to guarantee a specific level of robust stability and performance for the time-varying dynamics. The closed-loop simulations show that speed and altitude vary slightly during the whole wing folding process, and they converge rapidly after the process ends. This proves that the gain self-scheduled H 1 robust controller can guarantee a satisfactory dynamic performance for the morphing aircraft during the whole wing shape transition process. Finally, the flight control system’s robustness for the wing folding process is verified according to uncertainties of the aerodynamic parameters in the nonlinear model.     

Correction method of airfoil thickness effect in hinge moment calculation of a folding wing

The influences of airfoil thickness on the aerodynamic loading distribution and the hinge moments of folding wing aircraft are presented in this work. The traditional panel method shows deficiencies in the calculation of folding wing’s hinge moments. Thus, a thickness correction strategy for the aerodynamic model with CFD results is proposed, and an aeroelastic flight simulation platform is constructed based on the secondary development of ADAMS. Based on the platform, the developed aerodynamic model is verified, then the flight-folding process of the folding wing aircraft is simulated, and the influences of airfoil thickness on the results are investigated. Results show that the developed aerodynamic model can effectively describe the thickness effect of the folding wing. Airfoil thickness, which cannot be considered by the panel method, has a great influence on the hinge moments during the folding process, and the thickness correction has great significance in the calculation of folding wing’s hinge moments.     

Proportional fuzzy feed-forward architecture control validation by wind tunnel tests of a morphing wing

In aircraft wing design, engineers aim to provide the best possible aerodynamic performance under cruise flight conditions in terms of lift-to-drag ratio. Conventional control sur-faces such as flaps, ailerons, variable wing sweep and spoilers are used to trim the aircraft for other flight conditions. The appearance of the morphing wing concept launched a new challenge in the area of overall wing and aircraft performance improvement during different flight segments by locally altering the flow over the aircraft's wings. This paper describes the development and appli-cation of a control system for an actuation mechanism integrated in a new morphing wing structure. The controlled actuation system includes four similar miniature electromechanical actuators dis-posed in two parallel actuation lines. The experimental model of the morphing wing is based on a full-scale portion of an aircraft wing, which is equipped with an aileron. The upper surface of the wing is a flexible one, being closed to the wing tip; the flexible skin is made of light composite materials. The four actuators are controlled in unison to change the flexible upper surface to improve the flow quality on the upper surface by delaying or advancing the transition point from laminar to turbulent regime. The actuators transform the torque into vertical forces. Their bases are fixed on the wing ribs and their top link arms are attached to supporting plates fixed onto the flex-ible skin with screws. The actuators push or pull the flexible skin using the necessary torque until the desired vertical displacement of each actuator is achieved. The four vertical displacements of the actuators, correlated with the new shape of the wing, are provided by a database obtained through a preliminary aerodynamic optimization for specific flight conditions. The control system is designed to control the positions of the actuators in real time in order to obtain and to maintain the desired shape of the wing for a specified flight condition. The feasibility and effectiveness of the developed control system by use of a proportional fuzzy feed-forward methodology are demon-strated experimentally through bench and wind tunnel tests of the morphing wing model.     

Unsteady aerodynamics and flow control for flapping wing flyers

The creation of micro air vehicles (MAVs) of the same general sizes and weight as natural fliers has spawned renewed interest in flapping wing flight. With a wingspan of approximately 15 cm and a flight speed of a few meters per second, MAVs experience the same low Reynolds number (10⁴–10⁵) flight conditions as their biological counterparts. In this flow regime, rigid fixed wings drop dramatically in aerodynamic performance while flexible flapping wings gain efficacy and are the preferred propulsion method for small natural fliers. Researchers have long realized that steady-state aerodynamics does not properly capture the physical phenomena or forces present in flapping flight at this scale. Hence, unsteady flow mechanisms must dominate this regime. Furthermore, due to the low flight speeds, any disturbance such as gusts or wind will dramatically change the aerodynamic conditions around the MAV. In response, a suitable feedback control system and actuation technology must be developed so that the wing can maintain its aerodynamic efficiency in this extremely dynamic situation; one where the unsteady separated flow field and wing structure are tightly coupled and interact nonlinearly. For instance, birds and bats control their flexible wings with muscle tissue to successfully deal with rapid changes in the flow environment. Drawing from their example, perhaps MAVs can use lightweight actuators in conjunction with adaptive feedback control to shape the wing and achieve active flow control. This article first reviews the scaling laws and unsteady flow regime constraining both biological and man-made fliers. Then a summary of vortex dominated unsteady aerodynamics follows. Next, aeroelastic coupling and its effect on lift and thrust are discussed. Afterwards, flow control strategies found in nature and devised by man to deal with separated flows are examined. Recent work is also presented in using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) actuators and angular speed variation to achieve active flow control for MAVs. Finally, an explanation for aerodynamic gains seen in flexible versus rigid membrane wings, derived from an unsteady three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics model with an integrated distributed control algorithm, is presented.     

水翼型水上飞机偏转机翼布局数值研究

针对水上飞机水面起飞过程阻力峰值较大,提出一种可偏转机翼水翼型水上飞机,飞机水面滑行时偏转机翼割划水面产生水动升力将飞机抬离水面,空中飞行时偏转机翼根据飞行条件可偏转角度。采用空气动力和水动力耦合求解并结合动力学平衡方程方法分析了该布局水动特性并进行空中巡航气动特性分析,同时计算同尺寸双浮筒型水上飞机,比较两种构型水动与气动特性。数值计算结果表明,水面起飞过程中双浮筒型水上飞机总阻力峰值约为水翼型水上飞机偏转机翼布局的1.97倍；飞机空中飞行时,偏转机翼偏转角为0°时气动性能最优且所受阻力低于双浮筒型水上飞机,从而证明了水翼型水上飞机偏转机翼布局能够有效提高水上飞机的水动与气动性能。     

Continuous morphing trailing-edge wing concept based on multi-stable nanomaterial

Morphing technology is one of the most effective methods to improve the flight efficiency of aircraft. Traditional control surfaces based morphing method is mature and widely used on current civil and military aircraft, but insufficiently effective for the entire flight envelope. Recent research on morphing wing still faces the challenge that the skin material for morphing should be both deformable and stiff. In this study, a continuous morphing trailing-edge wing with a new multi-stable nano skin material fabricated using surface mechanical attrition treatment technology was proposed and designed. Computational fluid dynamics simulation was used to study the aerodynamic performance of the continuous morphing trailing-edge wing. Results show that the lift coefficient increases with the increase of deflection angle and so does the lift-drag ratio at a small angle of attack. More importantly, compared with the wing using flaps, the continuous morphing trailing-edge wing can reduce drag during the morphing process and its overall aerodynamic performance is improved at a large angle of attack range. Flow field analysis reveals that the continuous morphing method can delay flow separation in some situations.     

串列翼飞行器机翼耦合特性研究

串列翼飞行器由于其前后翼以及机身之间的相互干扰,气动特性复杂且难以预测。针对一款串列翼飞行器,以前后翼之间的垂直距离为变量,设计了五种气动布局,并使用CFD方法进行了数值模拟计算。通过对五种布局升阻特性与俯仰特性的比较及分析,发现前后翼垂直方向距离会显著影响整机升阻比、俯仰稳定性、气动中心位置以及压力中心位置。两翼间垂直方向上的距离越大,飞行器升阻比越高,且气动中心更加靠后。而在两翼间距离相同的情况下,前翼在下的布局拥有更高的升阻比,而前翼在上的布局拥有更好的俯仰静稳定性。     

机翼结冰生命周期的数字孪生软件系统

飞机巡航中的机翼结冰情况是关系到飞行安全的重大实际问题之一,如果能够实时监测甚至根据环境提前预测机翼结冰过程和状况,对改进机翼防除冰设计、规避飞行危险都具有重大意义。数字孪生技术作为5G信息时代中新兴的技术,为物理过程的虚拟呈现提供了新的思路与解决方案、同时数字孪生技术结合人工智能等技术,同样可以应用于飞机巡航中机翼结冰物理过程,对实时监测与预测提供了新的技术保证。从数字孪生的角度出发,以机翼结冰神经网络模型为切入点,设计实现了一款基于数字孪生和人工智能技术的巡航中机翼结冰二维过程快速呈现软件系统。软件获取飞机巡航结冰参数与飞行参数,运行结果能够利用动态显示方式,呈现飞机巡航中机翼结冰全生命周期。     

Nonlinear dynamics of a flapping rotary wing: Modeling and optimal wing kinematic analysis

The analysis of the passive rotation feature of a micro Flapping Rotary Wing(FRW)applicable for Micro Air Vehicle(MAV) design is presented in this paper. The dynamics of the wing and its influence on aerodynamic performance of FRW is studied at low Reynolds number(~10~3).The FRW is modeled as a simplified system of three rigid bodies: a rotary base with two flapping wings. The multibody dynamic theory is employed to derive the motion equations for FRW. A quasi-steady aerodynamic model is utilized for the calculation of the aerodynamic forces and moments. The dynamic motion process and the effects of the kinematics of wings on the dynamic rotational equilibrium of FWR and the aerodynamic performances are studied. The results show that the passive rotation motion of the wings is a continuous dynamic process which converges into an equilibrium rotary velocity due to the interaction between aerodynamic thrust, drag force and wing inertia. This causes a unique dynamic time-lag phenomena of lift generation for FRW, unlike the normal flapping wing flight vehicle driven by its own motor to actively rotate its wings. The analysis also shows that in order to acquire a high positive lift generation with high power efficiency and small dynamic time-lag, a relative high mid-up stroke angle within 7–15° and low mid-down stroke angle within -40° to -35° are necessary. The results provide a quantified guidance for design option of FRW together with the optimal kinematics of motion according to flight performance requirement.