Study on a camber adaptive winglet

Morphing structures are devices intended to be implemented in specific parts of the aircraft such to improve some aspects of the flight such as performance and maneuverability. More specifically for the wings, the in flight capability of adaptation of airfoil profile and control surfaces bring possibility to the aircraft operate at optimum performance condition during all flight phases. Morphing structures can only lead to optimal flight maneuverability and performance conditions if the morphed geometry leads to an improved flight condition. Aiming at the reduction of the lift induced drag in all flight phases, this research focus on the application of the genetic optimization algorithm for the definition of the camber section of an winglet. This research proposes the optimization at four different flight phases namely: climb, heavy cruise, mid cruise and light cruise. BLWF – a full potential equation solver coupled with 3D boundary layer modelling – is adopted in the aerodynamic performance, e.g. lift and drag ratio, calculation. A conventional genetic algorithm is adopted in the optimization of the camber of the airfoil composing the winglet. This paper describes the optimization procedure and compares geometries showing that the in flight change of the winglet geometry can sensibly contribute to the improvement of the aircraft performance reducing the fuel consumption