Analysis of conventional and asymmetric aircraft configurations using CEASIOM

One of the main drivers behind the SimSAC project and the CEASIOM software is to bring stability analysis and control system design earlier into the aircraft conceptual design process. Within this paper two very different aircraft are considered, a conventional T-tail based on the existing EA500 Very Light Jet and the second, a novel Z-wing configuration known as the GAV or general aviation vehicle. The first aircraft serves as a baseline comparison for the second, and the cruise case is considered as a benchmark for identifying potential drag reductions and aircraft stability characteristics. CEASIOM, the Computerised Environment for Aircraft Synthesis and Integrated Optimisation Methods, is used to generate aerodynamic data sets for both aircraft, create trim conditions and the associated linear models for classical stability analysis. The open-loop Z-wing configuration is shown to display both highly unstable and coupled modes before a multivariable Stability Augmentation System (SAS) is applied both to decouple and stabilise the aircraft. Within this paper, these two aircraft provide a test case with which to demonstrate the capabilities of the CEASIOM environment and the tools which have been developed during the SimSAC project. This new software suite is shown to allow conceptual development of unconventional novel configurations from mass properties through adaptive-fidelity aerodynamics to linear analysis and control system design.     

Modeling and simulating aircraft stability and control—The SimSAC project

This paper overviews the SimSAC Project, Simulating Aircraft Stability And Control Characteristics for Use in Conceptual Design. It reports on the three major tasks: development of design software, validating the software on benchmark tests and applying the software to design exercises. CEASIOM, the Computerized Environment for Aircraft Synthesis and Integrated Optimization Methods, is a framework tool that integrates discipline-specific tools for conceptual design. At this early stage of the design it is very useful to be able to predict the flying and handling qualities of this design. In order to do this, the aerodynamic database needs to be computed for the configuration being studied, which then has to be coupled to the stability and control tools to carry out the analysis. The benchmarks for validation are the F12 windtunnel model of a generic long-range airliner and the TCR windtunnel model of a sonic-cruise passenger transport concept. The design, simulate and evaluate (DSE) exercise demonstrates how the software works as a design tool. The exercise begins with a design specification and uses conventional design methods to prescribe a baseline configuration. Then CEASIOM improves upon this baseline by analyzing its flying and handling qualities. Six such exercises are presented.     

NeoCASS: An integrated tool for structural sizing, aeroelastic analysis and MDO at conceptual design level

This paper presents a design framework called NeoCASS (Next generation Conceptual Aero-Structural Sizing Suite), developed at the Department of Aerospace Engineering of Politecnico di Milano in the frame of SimSAC (Simulating Aircraft Stability And Control Characteristics for Use in Conceptual Design) project, funded by EU in the context of 6th Framework Program. It enables the creation of efficient low-order, medium fidelity models particularly suitable for structural sizing, aeroelastic analysis and optimization at the conceptual design level.The whole methodology is based on the integration of geometry construction, aerodynamic and structural analysis codes that combine depictive, computational, analytical, and semi-empirical methods, validated in an aircraft design environment.The work here presented aims at including the airframe and its effect from the very beginning of the conceptual design. This aspect is usually not considered in this early phase. In most cases, very simplified formulas and datasheets are adopted, which implies a low level of detail and a poor accuracy. Through NeoCASS, a preliminar distribution of stiffness and inertias can be determined, given the initial layout. The adoption of empirical formulas is reduced to the minimum in favor of simple numerical methods. This allows to consider the aeroelastic behavior and performances, as well, improving the accuracy of the design tools during the iterative steps and lowering the development costs and reducing the time to market.The result achieved is a design tool based on computational methods for the aero-structural analysis and Multi-Disciplinary Optimization (MDO) of aircraft layouts at the conceptual design stage. A complete case study regarding the TransoniCRuiser aircraft, including validation of the results obtained using industrial standard tools like MSC/NASTRAN and a CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) code, is reported. As it will be shown, it is possible to improve the degree of fidelity of the conceptual design process by including tailored numerical tools, overcoming the lacks of statistical methods. The result is a method minimally dependent on datasheets, featuring a good compromise between accuracy and costs.     

Simulation of asymmetric landing and typical ground maneuvers for large transport aircraft

It is important to determine static and dynamic ground loads for the aircraft ground maneuvers accurately in the design phase. Simulation of the important operational cases is a better way compared to the tests on real aircraft to investigate these loads at a reasonable cost. In this paper, the simulation of an asymmetric landing case and typical ground maneuvers for large transport aircraft is presented. The aircraft models are built in the multibody simulation tool SIMPACK. The tire model implemented in SIMPACK includes lateral dynamics of the tire. Cornering, braked runs and pushback are simulated as typical ground maneuvers. For simulation of braking, a simple but effective Antilock Braking System (ABS) algorithm is implemented. The article is based on the work done in cooperation between DLR and Airbus in the Flexible Aircraft 2 project.     

Design of aircraft structures against threat of bird strikes

In this paper, a method to design bird-strike-resistant aircraft structures is presented and illustrated through examples. The focus is on bird strike experiments and simulations. The explicit finite element software PAM-CRASH is employed to conduct bird strike simulations, and a coupled Smooth Particles Hydrodynamic (SPH) and Finite Element (FE) method is used to simulate the interaction between a bird and a target structure. The SPH method is explained, and an SPH bird model is established. Constitutive models for various structural materials, such as aluminum alloys, composite materials, honeycomb, and foam materials that are used in aircraft structures, are presented, and model parameters are identified by conducting various material tests. Good agreements between simulation results and experimental data suggest that the numerical model is capable of predicting the dynamic responses of various aircraft structures under a bird strike, and numerical simulation can be used as a tool to design bird-strike-resistant aircraft structures.     

Application of neural networks for synthesizing flight control algorithms. I neural network inverse dynamics method for aircraft flight control

The application of artificial neural networks for aircraft motion control, in particular, for creation of nonlinear algorithms of the aircraft remote control system (RCS) is considered. Aircraft as a control object is represented as a multidimensional nonlinear dynamic system and nonlinear control methods are used to operate this system. The control loop is constructed using the method of inverse dynamics based on the feedback linearization principle. The nonlinear control law is represented as a neural network being learned (adjusted) by recorded or incoming measurements of motion parameters. Synthesis and testing of neural network control algorithms is performed with the fully nonlinear mathematical model of a maneuverable aircraft for three control channels. Simulation results of the closed system are presented.     

Ground maneuver for front-wheel drive aircraft via deep reinforcement learning

The maneuvering time on the ground accounts for 10%–30% of their flight time, and it always exceeds 50% for short-haul aircraft when the ground traffic is congested. Aircraft also contribute significantly to emissions, fuel burn, and noise when taxiing on the ground at airports. There is an urgent need to reduce aircraft taxiing time on the ground. However, it is too expensive for airports and aircraft carriers to build and maintain more runways, and it is space-limited to tow the aircraft fast using tractors. Autonomous drive capability is currently the best solution for aircraft, which can save the maneuver time for aircraft. An idea is proposed that the wheels are driven by APU-powered (auxiliary power unit) motors, APU is working on its efficient point; consequently, the emissions, fuel burn, and noise will be reduced significantly. For Front-wheel drive aircraft, the front wheel must provide longitudinal force to tow the plane forward and lateral force to help the aircraft make a turn. Forward traction effects the aircraft’s maximum turning ability, which is difficult to be modeled to guide the controller design. Deep reinforcement learning provides a powerful tool to help us design controllers for black-box models; however, the models of related works are always simplified, fixed, or not easily modified, but that is what we care about most. Only with complex models can the trained controller be intelligent. High-fidelity models that can easily modified are necessary for aircraft ground maneuver controller design. This paper focuses on the maneuvering problem of front-wheel drive aircraft, a high-fidelity aircraft taxiing dynamic model is established, including the 6-DOF airframe, landing gears, and nonlinear tire force model. A deep reinforcement learning based controller was designed to improve the maneuver performance of front-wheel drive aircraft. It is proved that in some conditions, the DRL based controller outperformed conventional look-ahead controllers.     

BW—1变稳飞机飞行品质试验研究

本文论述利用BW-1变稳飞机对人感特性与短周期特性及其组合进行的大量的地面模拟试验和空中飞行试验。由驾驶员操纵飞机完成特定的任务,通过大量的客观试验数据和驾驶员的主观评定(评定等级和建议),研究纵向操纵品质特性,使中国驾驶员对库珀—哈珀评定标准有了进一步的认识,给出了一些结论和建议。     

多轮飞机刹车系统半物理仿真的研究

飞机刹车系统是飞机起飞着陆系统的重要组成部分,对飞机航行最为关键的起降安全起着至关重要的作用[1],具有复杂非线性和强不可测干扰的特点。本文从多轮飞机刹车系统组成结构与工作原理出发,结合半物理仿真技术的特点,提出了基于labview开发软件的实时半仿真平台的设计方案,介绍了多轮飞机刹车半物理仿真系统的组成原理及其系统软件开发。试验结果表明,该方法平台操作简单、运行稳定可靠、实时性好,可以提高仿真软件的质量和仿真系统的性能,是一种值得推广的方法。     

Automatic landing system using neural networks and radio-technical subsystems

The paper focuses on the design of a new automatic landing system(ALS) in longitudinal plane; the new ALS controls the aircraft trajectory and longitudinal velocity. Aircraft control is achieved by means of a proportional-integral(PI) controller and the instrumental landing system– the first phase of landing(the glide slope) and a proportional-integral-derivative(PID) controller together with a radio-altimeter – the second phase of landing(the flare); both controllers modify the reference model associated with aircraft pitch angle. The control of the pitch angle and longitudinal velocity is performed by a neural network adaptive control system, based on the dynamic inversion concept, having the following as components: a linear dynamic compensator, a linear observer, reference models, and a Pseudo control hedging(PCH) block. The theoretical results are software implemented and validated by complex numerical simulations; compared with other ALSs having the same radio-technical subsystems but with conventional or fuzzy controllers for the control of aircraft pitch angle and longitudinal velocity, the architecture designed in this paper is characterized by much smaller overshoots and stationary errors.     

飞机电子防滑刹车系统模拟仿真

提出用飞机三自由度模型进行防滑系统的仿真研究,给出某型飞机的刹车曲线。     

飞机离散突风响应分析

某型飞机机翼挂装翼尖导弹对机翼结构设计和结构分析提出了诸多全新课题，如结构的振动响应和气动弹性动响应。本文就某型飞机离散突风响应作了初步分析。     

飞机易损性研究探讨

飞机战斗生存力已成为军用飞机设计的主要指标之一,飞机易损性研究的目的是揭示提高飞机战斗生存力的途径。论述了军用飞机易损性研究中的相关理论,并对飞机易损性定量指标的计算方法进行了介绍。最后针对易损性研究现状,提出了个人的看法。     

飞机非线性飞行载荷计算方法研究

 以贯彻《军用飞机强度和刚度规范》为目标,提出了一整套使用风洞实验非线性气动力数据进行飞机飞行载荷计算的方法,成功地研制了带有载荷数据库的计算分析软件。该软件已成功地运用于 F××飞机的飞行载荷计算。     

飞机系统设计若干研究新进展

飞机系统设计是飞机研制的重要组成部分,它关系到飞机整体性能的提高。新一代飞机性能指标的不断提高,对各系统提出了更高的设计要求。为此,阐述了液压系统、燃油系统和环境控制系统的新发展、新要求、新方法。希望为相关的飞机系统设计研究方向提供一定的参考。     

飞机抛物线飞行试验中的液体行为仿真

微重力环境下液体的流动特性和晃动行为是航天工程上颇为关心的问题,也是进行推进剂管理的基础。飞机抛物线飞行是创建微重力环境地面实验方法之一,可实现对一定时间内液体行为的观测,但其成本较高且试验时长受限。基于失重飞机的一般运动规律,对单次及多次抛物线飞行的任务剖面进行了设计,并以单次抛物线飞行为例、利用CFD软件对液体行为进行了数值仿真,分析了失重飞行段初始条件对微重力液体响应的影响。仿真结果可为失重飞机飞行任务剖面的设计和优化提供参考。     

基于ADAMS/Aircraft的舰载机逃逸性能分析

文章基于MSC ADAMS/Aircraft平台,建立了目标舰载机得起落架、轮胎、机身及全机虚拟样机模型,并进行飞机逃逸仿真分析,结果表明目标舰载机具有较好的逃逸性能。     

基于GasTurb/MATLAB的航空发动机部件级模型研究

基于航空发动机总体性能分析软件GasTurb及其源代码,利用动态链接库技术实现在控制系统开发平台MATLAB下直接调用GasTurb部件级动态模型,并在Simulink下建立了包含涡喷、涡扇、涡轴、涡桨在内的22种发动机类型的部件级模型库,实现了两者之间的无缝衔接.应用实例与仿真结果验证了所建模型的有效性与高度可定制性.消除了从总体性能分析阶段过渡到控制系统开发阶段存在的交互障碍,为发动机控制和故障诊断研究提供了一种灵活的仿真平台.      

飞机操纵系统优化设计软件开发与运动仿真

飞机发动机操纵系统和舵面操纵系统通常采用连杆机构传递运动。本文介绍了飞机操纵系统的通用优化设计软件———ACSODS软件。本软件可根据传动系统的设计要求,对传动系统的各参数进行优化设计,同时生成系统运动的动态仿真图,因此,可以大大缩短传动系统的设计周期和设计费用。软件操作简便,界面友好,有较好的人机对话式的交互功能,并具有直观形象的设计特点,为设计者提供了一个高效、实用的设计平台。通过与实际系统的比较,设计结果完全能满足系统的要求。     

某系列飞机蓄电池组新型自动加温装置的技术研究

航空蓄电池组是我军航空兵部队某系列飞机的地面起动、机载备份应急化学电源。本文分析了我军现役某系列飞机的航空蓄电池组使用状况和温度性能后,揭示了研制稳定高效的蓄电池组自动加温装置的必要性并给出了初步的设计方案。