Abstract
In this paper, multibody dynamic modeling and a simulation method for the wingtip-jointing process of a new-concept composite aircraft system are investigated. When the wingtips of two aircraft are jointed, the resultant wingtip-jointed aircraft is regarded as variable-geometry multiple rigid bodies, and a seven-degree-of-freedom non-linear dynamic model is established by mathematical derivation. The slip-meshing method is adopted to analyze the unsteady aerodynamic influence. We also present specific aerodynamic database acquisition methods under the quasi-steady assumption. Based on this, the simulation results indicate that the longitudinal and lateral movements are highly jointed and complex. A new composite aircraft system is investigated, in order to meet the balance requirement. With the lift–drag ratio (K) considered, the piecewise cubic Hermite interpolation (PCHIP) method, with a sufficient sample size, was utilized to help the cruise strategy optimization analysis under fixed altitude and speed conditions. Meanwhile, distribution of cruise characteristics with different sampling values of composite flight characteristic parameters were also analyzed. The research results can be used as a reference for new-concept composite aircraft model establishment, simulation, and multibody dynamic characteristic investigation.
Highlights
As aeronautical technologies develop, new-concept aircraft with better flight performance are created
Wittenburg method was used to derive the full format of the 7-degree-of-freedom composite body composite body dynamics equations and motion equations
The simulation results under given conditions conditions demonstrated that the single-aircraft trim strategy, which is similar to the single-aircraft demonstrated that the single-aircraft trim strategy, which is similar to the single-aircraft flight trim flight trim strategy, was not able to keep the composite aircraft system stable for a long time
Summary
New-concept aircraft with better flight performance are created. Wingtip-jointed composite aircraft, representing a specific sort of new-concept aircraft, can form a composite aircraft system with wingtips jointed together when flying As their aerodynamic performance is optimized by reduced induced drag force, such composite aircraft have the capacity for better range and endurance. The existing research studies mainly finish the composite aircraft study based on the aerodynamic data and trim strategy of a single aircraft, while the dynamic model establishment, aerodynamic database, and composite trimming strategy simulation of a composite system will help the aircraft cruise simulation results be more reasonable. To present our study regarding the above problem, this paper is organized as follows: Section 2 presents the derivation of the full-parameter dynamic equations and kinematic equations of the wingtip-jointed composite system, including the establishment of aerodynamic force and momentum models under the quasi-steady assumption. With the lift-to-drag ratio mainly considered, the optimal cruise strategy under fixed altitude and speed is investigated using the PCHIP method, as detailed in Section 4, where optimized values of parameters among all the samples are correspondingly presented
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