High-performance Flexible Matrix Composite Actuators for Trailing Edge Flap Control

Novel smart material and actuator technology will ultimately lead to the development of aerodynamically efficient air vehicles capable of radical shape change that can accomplish various mission types with superior performance. In this research, active skins based upon pressurized flexible matrix composites (FMCs) are investigated for trailing edge flap control of a glider wing. The new active flexible FMC skins consist of embedded pressurized composite tubes in an elastomeric resin. A mathematical model for a single pressurized FMC composite tube is developed and presented. Using the single tube model, a Rule of Mixtures (ROM) is employed to find the effective properties of the multitube active skin. Modeling the top and bottom skins of the trailing edge as active FMC skins, the effective parameters are used to derive the equations for bending and axial extension of the active material using Hamilton’s Principle. The two-dimensional vortex panel method is utilized for estimating the aerodynamic loading on the trailing edge flaps. From the mathematical representation of the FMC trailing edge flaps with aerodynamic loading, analysis is performed for insight and design.