Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Eyan Meyer, Sophomore Eric M. Rodarte, Maximo Failla, Josh D. Shuster, Jackson G. Schuler, Daewon Kim
Lead Presenter's Name
Eyan Meyer
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Daewon Kim
Abstract
Project Chimaera: Physical Assembly of tessellated tetrahedral wing for Multi-Regime Flight. Modern Aircrafts lose aerodynamic efficiency because they are primarily made utilizing fixed wings which are designed for a single optimal flight condition. This forces an aircraft’s performance to become compromised across various speed maneuvers and flight regimes. Project Chimaera addresses this limitation through the development of a morphing wing capable of dynamically changing its geometry extensively during flight to allow an aircraft to travel between subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speeds. Whereas traditional wings rely on wing flaps and other flight controls; Project Chimaera addresses the limitation of flight controls through modifying the entirety of the wing’s overall shape. This is achieved through an internal skeleton of interconnected triangular structures, or tessellated tetrahedral trusses, that adjust the wing using linear actuators along the horizontal and vertical axes to allow the wing to sweep, twist, and increase the span. The methodology includes integrating virtual kinematic modeling with physical prototyping to both design and construct the wing. The project is currently in the manufacturing and testing phase. The internal structure has been designed along with tolerancing, with current portions being validated for physical construction. Testing is being conducted in wing sections. Movement is then analyzed and compounded together as sections have been verified to work as intended. With next process being to record the data set and design the algorithms necessary to manipulate the wing to the most optimal regime based on flight characteristics. Ultimately, this research suggests that morphing wing technology is a viable pathway for next-generation aviation. By enabling future aircraft to travel between flight regime will allow for improved efficiency and will allow for high speeds of travel for aircraft to be more practical.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Included in
Aerodynamics and Fluid Mechanics Commons, Computer-Aided Engineering and Design Commons, Structures and Materials Commons
Project Chimaera: Development of a Tessellated Tetrahedral Truss Structure for Adaptive Multi-Regime Morphing wing Technology
Project Chimaera: Physical Assembly of tessellated tetrahedral wing for Multi-Regime Flight. Modern Aircrafts lose aerodynamic efficiency because they are primarily made utilizing fixed wings which are designed for a single optimal flight condition. This forces an aircraft’s performance to become compromised across various speed maneuvers and flight regimes. Project Chimaera addresses this limitation through the development of a morphing wing capable of dynamically changing its geometry extensively during flight to allow an aircraft to travel between subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic speeds. Whereas traditional wings rely on wing flaps and other flight controls; Project Chimaera addresses the limitation of flight controls through modifying the entirety of the wing’s overall shape. This is achieved through an internal skeleton of interconnected triangular structures, or tessellated tetrahedral trusses, that adjust the wing using linear actuators along the horizontal and vertical axes to allow the wing to sweep, twist, and increase the span. The methodology includes integrating virtual kinematic modeling with physical prototyping to both design and construct the wing. The project is currently in the manufacturing and testing phase. The internal structure has been designed along with tolerancing, with current portions being validated for physical construction. Testing is being conducted in wing sections. Movement is then analyzed and compounded together as sections have been verified to work as intended. With next process being to record the data set and design the algorithms necessary to manipulate the wing to the most optimal regime based on flight characteristics. Ultimately, this research suggests that morphing wing technology is a viable pathway for next-generation aviation. By enabling future aircraft to travel between flight regime will allow for improved efficiency and will allow for high speeds of travel for aircraft to be more practical.