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Using an optimisation process for sailplane winglet design

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 July 2016

A. Travis Krebs  and
B. Dr. Götz Bramesfeld
A. Travis Krebs*
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
B. Dr. Götz Bramesfeld
Affiliation:
Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
*
[email protected]
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Abstract

A multi-objective optimisation process is used to design winglets for a high-performance sailplane. The primary optimisation objective is to maximise the average cross-country speed over a range of thermal strengths. Additional contributions to the cost functions are the limitation of the total drag during high-speed cruise and the additional root bending moment due to the winglet. Rather than being a pure design study, the purpose of the herein presented study is to demonstrate that a multi-objective optimisation approach is a suitable and efficient alternative to the more traditional, experienced-based design approach. The flight performance of the winglet designs are evaluated using a higher-order potential flow method. Results of the optimisation are hand-selected for further analysis. They are compared to a traditionally designed winglet for the same aircraft, designed with similar objectives in mind. The chosen final designs provide an increase in average cross-country speed of 1.5% at lower thermal strengths and 0.4% at higher thermal strengths when compared to the traditional design. When approximating the effects of trim drag due to wing loading and static margin, these performance gains fall to 0.6% and 0.1% respectively, more closely matching the performance of the traditionally designed winglet. The final designs, along with the traditional design, provide performance benefits across all airspeeds of the flight envelope of the base aircraft without winglets.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 120 , Issue 1233 , November 2016 , pp. 1726 - 1745
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2016 

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References

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