Experimental and performance validation of a full-scale morphing droop nose design based on composite compliant structures

Abstract

Active camber morphing technology can be used to improve aircraft performance in takeoff and landing flight conditions, while preserving a smooth wing shape. This study begins with the design of a morphing droop nose to be installed on a regional aircraft, and focuses on the manufacturing and testing of a full-scale and fully representative experimental prototype. All work is driven by the morphing shape change, which was optimized to provide the required aerodynamic performance. The adoption of a composite structure that combines a flexible skin with a compliant structure makes this device capable of achieving such a shape change, and sufficiently insensitive to external load variations. These capabilities are successfully demonstrated through experimental testing. A validation phase was conducted based on strain gauge measurements, and a motion capture system was used to identify three-dimensional shape changes due to the morphing. Finally, a validated numerical model is used to assess the aerodynamic performance of the experimental prototype.