Structural design and dynamic analysis of an inflatable delta wing

Abstract

Structural stiffness and strength, as well as the maintenance of wing shape are very important for the usage of inflatable wings. Firstly, inspired by the deployable dorsal fin of fish, structural design on an bionic inflatable delta wing is proposed. The outer flexible surface of delta wing can be stretched through the interval inflatable airbeams to unfold the spanwise-rotatable deployable ribs to achieve the maintenance of wing shape. Then, a dynamic theoretical model of equivalent multi-beam-springs array is established to describe the interval inflatable airbeams and the ribs by the Lagrange equations. The multi-point excitation modal test method is also used to identify the modal of the inflatable delta wing. Moreover, the transient response is analyzed by the wavelet spectrum for shock excitation. The equivalent multi-beam-springs array model is verified by experimental testing for inflatable structural framework of delta wing. Finally, the effects of airbeam spacing and internal pressure on the structural frequency of inflated wing are predicted by numerical simulation. These results can provide a new way for the design of the inflatable delta wing.