Highly Extensible Skin of a Variable Geometry Wing Leading Edge of a High-Performance Sailplane

Authors

  • Matthias Weinzierl
  • Johannes Achleitner
  • Horst Horst Baier

Keywords:

Aerodynamics, Structures, Design

Abstract

In 2011 the Akaflieg Munchen e.V. began research on a variable geometry wing of a sailplane. The advantage of a leading edge with a variable camber was investigated by Wießmeier on the basis of the ASW 27 airfoil. The results show a great potential of achieving a higher wing loading and a higher cruising speed along with excellent low-speed flight characteristics. Subsequently, different designs of the technical implementation of a variable geometry wing leading edge are considered. This paper presents the results of a study whose principal aim is to design and analyse a highly extensible section of a variable geometry wing leading edge. This section is designed as a sandwich, composed of an accordion honeycomb core with elastomeric top layers. It has a high bending stiffness as well as a high extensibility into one direction, allowing for the wing leading edge to morph downward.

Downloads

Issue

Vol. 39 No. 1 (2015)

Section

Articles

License

CLEARANCE AND LICENSE TO PUBLISH:

This paper is UNCLASSIFIED (for public reasons) and has been cleared by the appropriate agencies, company and government. This paper represents original work by the author(s). No portion of the material is covered by a prior copyright; or for any portion copyrighted, the author has obtained permission for its use.
I hereby license OSTIV to publish this paper and to use it for all of OSTIV's current and future publications uses.