A control system architecture is described for an autonomous flying vehicle. The vehicle, equipped with fourteen sensors, uses a model helicopter as an airframe. The control system utilizes these sensors to a) remain aloft and in stable flight, b) navigate to a target and c) manipulate a physical object. The overall approach to the problem is based on a behavioral paradigm. The key contribution...

Multilevel representations have been studied extensively by arti cial intelligence researchers. We present a general method that utilizes the multilevel paradigm to attack the problem of performing multidiscipline engineering design optimization in the presence of many local optima. The method uses a multidisciplinary simulator at multiple levels of abstraction, paired with a multilevel search ...

Abstract The flow distortion at core engine entry for a variable pitch fan (VPF) in reverse thrust mode is described from realistic field obtained using an integrated airframe-engine model. model includes the VPF, splitter, complete bypass nozzle path wrapped nacelle, and installed to airframe landing configuration through pylon. A moving ground plane mimic rolling runway included. 3D Reynolds-...

Mechanical instabilities and elastic nonlinearities are emerging means for designing deployable shape adaptive structures. Dynamic snap-through buckling is investigated here as a to tailor the deployment retraction of slat-cove filler (SCF), morphing component used reduce airframe noise. Upon deployment, leading-edge slats create cove between themselves main wing, producing unsteady flow featur...