DEPARTMENT OF AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
MADRAS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY,
ANNA UNIVERSITY
AE 5811 Final Year Project II
DESIGN, FABRICATION
AND TESTING OF A MORPHING WING IN
EXPERIMENTAL UAV
Guided by Presented by
Dr.A.Kaviyarasu Selvaganesh R - 2021501305
Assistant Professor (Senior Grade) Karthickumar N - 2021501316
Department of Aerospace Engineering Deepak kumar B - 2021501320
AGENDA
INTRODUCTION
PHASE 1 PHASE 2
Design Simulation Fabrication Testing
phase phase phase phase
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the morphing wing is to increase aircraft performance in different flight phases. Performance
parameters that can be developed with the morphing wing concept; are important parameters such as
maximum speed, fuel consumption, maneuverability, carrying capacity, range, durability and stability.
Improving some or all of these parameters will increase flight efficiency and expand the possible mission
profiles that the aircraft can perform. Improvement of performance parameters has been achieved especially
by changing the wing section and air net shapes. This is achieved through a variety of morphing
mechanisms, including structure-based, material-based, and hybrid approaches.
Our project, focuses on creating a UAV with morphing wing technology. The goal is to enhance flight
efficiency and maneuverability by allowing the wings to change shape in response to flight conditions.
This involves designing adaptable wing structures, fabricating and testing them in controlled
environments like a wind tunnel. The testing phase evaluates performance improvements in areas such as
lift, drag, and stability. This innovative approach could lead to more versatile uavs, capable of adjusting to
different mission requirements in real-time.
PHASE 1 OVERVIEW
Design phase
Simulation phase
DESIGN PHASE
Design Parameter
Weight kg
Wing span= 1.2 m
Chord length =0.2 m
Aspect ratio = 6
Wing area 0.24 m2
Wing loading = 8.333 [must be between 5 to 10]
Aerofoil for wing - NACA 2412
Aerofoil for tail – NACA 0015
Components selection
Components name Specification
BLDC Motor 5010 750 kv
Electronic Speed Controller 40 A
LITHIUMION battery 11.1V 6200mAh 40C 3S Li-Po Battery
Servo Motors TowerPro SG90 9g Mini Servo Motor 6
Transmitter &Receiver FLYSKY FS-i6x 2.4G 6Channel transmitter
and receiver
Other electronics (arduinouno, Accel)
Tail configuration : Twin boom(U
tail) configuration
Software used : Catia v5
The problem arises from the
propeller's downstream flow, which
affects the horizontal tail.
The downstream airflow, typically
turbulent in nature, can cause
instability, especially when the
elevator deflects. This turbulence
disrupts the smooth flow over the tail,
leading to unpredictable or reduced
U tail control effectiveness
INVERTED V TAIL MODEL
In this design we overcome problem which
occurred in above models
The inverted V-tail is a tail design with two
slanted surfaces pointing downward, replacing
the usual vertical and horizontal stabilizers.
This design helps reduce drag, improves flying
efficiency, and makes the aircraft lighter by
removing extra tail parts.
However, the control system, called
ruddervators, is more complex and can make the
aircraft less stable compared to regular tails.
Examples of aircraft with this design include the
Predator drone and the RQ-4 Global Hawk. Inverted v tail model
SIMULATION PHASE
XFOIL & XFLR5
XFOIL is an interactive program for the design and analysis of subsonic isolated airfoils. Given
the coordinates specifying the shape of a 2D airfoil, Reynolds and Mach numbers, XFOIL can
calculate the pressure distribution on the airfoil and hence lift and drag characteristics.
XFLR5 is an analysis tool for airfoils, wings and planes operating at low Reynolds Numbers. It
includes: XFoil's Direct and Inverse analysis capabilities. Wing design and analysis capabilities
based on the Lifting Line Theory, on the Vortex Lattice Method, and on a 3D Panel Method.
For our study
Reynolds no :200000 (2e5)
Mach no : 0.04
Velocity = 20 m/s
Deflection angle (δ) :+10 (downward
direction ) to -10 (upward direction )
Flap deflection angle 20
Flap deflection angle 20 at AOA 0 Flap deflection angle (𝜹) - 20 at AOA 0°
FABRICATION PHASE
Prior to the fabrication phase, we conducted a stability analysis of the aircraft to ensure its aerodynamic
performance met the design requirements. Stability analysis evaluates the aircraft's ability to maintain or
return to steady flight after a disturbance. It ensures the design provides adequate control and
predictable behavior during various flight conditions.
Fabrication - We have successfully fabricated all the major components of our UAV, including the
ailerons, flaps, ruddervetors, fuselage, and aluminum rods. The control surfaces were made with
precision to ensure proper aerodynamic performance, while the fuselage was built to be lightweight and
structurally stable. The aluminum rods were used for support and linkage across various parts,
maintaining overall rigidity with minimal weight.
STABILITY ANALYSIS
Stability analysis of our morphing wing UAV in longitudinal and lateral dynamics. We study
phugoid and short-period modes for pitch stability, while Dutch roll, roll, and spiral modes assess
lateral behavior.
Longitudinal Stability Analysis
Represents the effect of pitch rate on the pitching
moment coefficient
Represents the effect of the rate of change of angle
of attack on the pitching moment coefficient.
Represents the change in the pitching
moment coefficient with respect to the angle of
attack.
Represents the change in the axial force coefficient
due to a change in forward velocity.
coefficient with respect to the angle of attack
Represents the change in the axial force coefficient
due to pitch rate (q)
Cw Represents the aerodynamic force coefficient in the
direction normal to the flight path
Representing the change in the aerodynamic
force in the z-direction with respect to changes in
velocity
Represents the effect of pitch rate on the normal
force coefficient.
-’u (s)++ (s)=
+ (s)=
Flight Conditions Inertia Properties Longitudinal Aerodynamic Coefficients
θ=0∘ I xx=0.063 kg·m² =0.00229, =0.2963
Mach = 0.04 I yy=0.155 kg·m² Cw=-0.7063, =2.3517
U=20 m/s I zz=0.21 kg·m² =12.188, = 4.72145
m=2 kg 1.412, =-0.91294
S=0.24 m²
=-0.23605, 31.40
0
-’u (s)++ (s)=0
+ (s)=0
(=0
0+ ) )+( ) (s)=0
| |
0.9070 S +0.00229 − 0.2963 0.7063
1.412 0.913085 S+ 4.7214 −0.82576 S =0
2
0 0.0156 S +0.23605 0.02343 S +0.2091 S
0.01940 +0.285678+0.1730 +0.028189 S +0.092394=0
()()=0
Phugoid Short-period
LATERAL STABILITY ANALYSIS
Quantifies the effect of roll rate on the rolling
moment coefficient.
Represents the change in the rolling
moment coefficient with respect to sideslip angle.
Represents the effect of roll rate on the yawing
moment coefficient.
Represents the change in the yawing moment
coefficient with respect to the sideslip angle.
Represents the effect of bank angle
on the side force coefficient.
Represents the effect of the sideslip angle on the side
force coefficient.
Represents the change in rolling moment coefficient due
to a change in yaw rate.
+ + =0
Lateral Aerodynamic Coefficients
Flight Conditions Inertia Properties
θ=0∘ =-0.38, =0.176575,
I xx=0.063 kg·m²
Mach = 0.04 I yy=0.155 kg·m² =-0.0228, =0.096
U=20 m/s I zz=0.21 kg·m²
m=2 kg =-0.107, =-0.6
S=0.24 m² =0, 0.7063
-0.057
+ + =0
+ + =0
0.000007616 +0.00008414 +0.00032553 +0.0016266 -0.000306392 S =0
+1.346 S+22.27 =0 (Dutch roll)
S+ 9.884 =0 (Roll subsidence)
S- 0.1828 =0 (Spiral divergence)
FABRICATION
Front View Side view
Top view
Aileron deflection
Elevator deflection
Aileron deflection helps the UAV roll left or right. Ailerons are small flaps on the wings. When one goes up and the other goes
down, the UAV tilts (rolls) to the side. In our UAV, servo motors control the ailerons, moving them smoothly between -20° and
+20°. This helps with turning and keeping the UAV steady during flight.
Flap deflection
Flap deflection
Flap deflection is the downward movement of wing flaps to increase lift, mainly during takeoff and landing. In our UAV,
servo motors controlled the flaps, which smoothly deflected from 0° to 30°. This helps the UAV fly more stably at lower
speeds.
Ground Run
We successfully completed the ground check. All control surfaces—including ailerons, flaps, and ruddervators
functioned properly. The structural integrity is confirmed to be strong, and all electronic systems are operating correctly.
The UAV is now ready for flight testing. Before that, we will attach the landing gear and make necessary alterations to
support takeoff and landing operations.
Ground Run
It is over final morphing wing UAV
REFERENCES
The paper titled "Design and Testing of a Morphing Wing for an Experimental UAV" was presented at
the Platform Innovations and System Integration for Unmanned Air, Land and Sea Vehicles (AVT-SCI
Joint Symposium) in 2017.
"A Review on Applications and Effects of Morphing Wing Technology on UAVs" by Cevdet Ozel, Emre
Ozbek, and Selcuk Ekici was published in 2020.
"The Analysis of the Flying Wing in Morphing Concept" by Vasile Prisacariu and Ionică Cîrciu was
published in 2013.
"Bioinspired Wing and Tail Morphing Extends Drone Flight Capabilities" by Enrico Ajanic et al. was
published in Science Robotics, 2021, Volume 6, Issue 56.
"Wing Morphing to Improve Control Performance of an Aircraft – An Overview and a Case Study" by
Vinod Laxman Hattallia and Shivashankar R. Srivatsa was published in 2016.
Continuous morphing trailing-edge wing concept based on multi-stable nanomaterial.Fengqian
HAO , Tao TANG b, Yuan GAO , Yimeng LI , Shenghui YI ,Jian LU ,
Design and Experiment of a Seamless Morphing Trailing Edge.
Gui Cheng, Tianrui Ma , Jun Yang , Nan Chang 2 and Xiang Zhou
3D-PrintedWingswithMorphingTrailing-EdgeTechnology,BenjaminC.Moulton
andDouglasF.Hunsaker Utah State University, Logan,
"Morphing Wing Flaps for Large Civil Aircraft – Evolution of a Smart Technology Across the
Clean Sky Program" by Rosario Pecora was published in 2020.
"Design, Modeling, and Control of Morphing Aircraft: A Review" by Lingling Chu, Qi Li,
Feng Gu, Xintian Du, Yuqing He, and Yangchen was published in 2021.
