Piezoelectric active control for tail buffeting at high angle of attack

Abstract

Tail buffeting at high angle of attack causes distinct fatigue problem on tail structure of twin tail fighters. In this study, a piezoelectric active control experiment of tail buffeting was performed in a wind tunnel using arching PZT actuator (APA) and principal modal control (PMC) method. Test results showed the peak value of power spectral density (PSD) function of tail buffeting acceleration response could be suppressed by about 42% when the angle of attack reached 35°, indicating the validity and feasibility of PMC method and APA for tail buffeting alleviation at high angle of attack.