Friswell, Michael I.

Woods, Benjamin K.S.

A new prototype of the Fish Bone Active Camber morphing concept has been built and subjected to a range of structural characterization tests. This new test model is based on a 508 mm chord OA212 airfoil with a compliant morphing portion located between 75 and 90% of the chord. This model includes a tensioned antagonistic tendon drive system to convert actuation torques into bending moments on the trailing edge. In order to validate the low-fidelity Euler-Bernoulli beam theory structural model developed for the concept, a series of benchtop tests were performed. Laser displacement sensor scans of the chordwise distribution of morphing deformation under a range of torques are shown to provide excellent agreement with model predictions for both upwards and downwards camber morphs. Experimentally measured actuation torque and energy requirements also show good agreement with analytical results. Finally, the ability of the tendon drive system coupled with a non-backdriveable mechanism to increase the resistance of the structure to external loading without increasing actuation requirements has been experimentally shown for the first time, with the tendons providing a 35% increase in stiffness under external loading with no measurable increase in actuation requirements.</p

Structural characterization of the fish bone active camber morphing airfoil

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