Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-l7hp2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-24T23:16:18.519Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

A circulation control actuator for flapless flight control

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

M. V. Cook ,
A. Buonanno  and
S. D. Erbslöh
M. V. Cook
Affiliation:
Dynamics, Simulation and Control Group, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK
A. Buonanno
Affiliation:
Dynamics, Simulation and Control Group, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK
S. D. Erbslöh
Affiliation:
Dynamics, Simulation and Control Group, School of Engineering, Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Trailing edge blowing over a Coanda surface has been utilised as a circulation control mechanism for increasing the lift of an aircraft wing. Typically, high energy air is blown from a narrow spanwise slot over the rounded trailing edge of a wing and the air supply is modulated to effect a degree of lift control on the wing. This configuration produces an aerodynamic force in a uni-directional sense only. An alternative novel flow control actuator is described which utilises a simple variable geometry Coanda surface with upper and lower spanwise blowing slots to achieve fully proportional bi-directional control in the manner of a conventional flap. A prototype device has been wind-tunnel tested and is shown to have substantially linear response characteristics and to be as efficient as an equivalent flap surface. The performance of a flow control actuator suitable for small UAV applications is described.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 112 , Issue 1134 , August 2008 , pp. 483 - 489
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2008 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Wood, N.J. and Nielsen, J., Circulation control airfoils: past, present and future, 1985, AIAA-85p-0204, AIAA 23rd Aerospace meeting, Reno, Nevada, USA.Google Scholar
2. Frith, S.P. and Wood, N.J., Circulation control high lift applications on a delta wing, 2002, CEAS Aerospace Aerodynamics Conference, Cambridge, UK.Google Scholar
3. Sellars, N.D., Wood, N.J. and Kennaugh, A., Delta wing circulation control using the coanda effect, 2002, First AIAA Flow Control Conference, St Louis, USA.Google Scholar
4. Frith, S.P. and Wood, N.J., Investigation of dual circulation control surfaces for flight control, 2004, Second AIAA Flow Control Conference, Portland, Oregon, USA.Google Scholar
5. Flow control actuators, September 2006, Patent application number 0617428.8, The Patent Office, Newport, South Wales.Google Scholar
6. Frith, S.P., Flapless Control for Low Aspect Ratio Wings, 2007, PhD thesis, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.Google Scholar
7. Rogers, E.O. and Donelly, M.J., Characteristics of a dual slotted circulation control wing of low aspect ratio intended for naval hydrodynamic applications, 2004, AIAA-2004-1244, 42nd Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit, Reno, Nevada, USA.Google Scholar
8. Dancila, D.S. and Vasilescu, R., Development of a wing section with piezo electrically modulated/vectored blowing, 2002, AIAA-2002-1634 43rd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural Dynamics, and Materials Conference, 22-25 April 2002, Denver, Colorado, USA.Google Scholar