Efficiency of Actuation Force for Aircraft Morphing Trailing Edge

The use of deformed trailing edge can greatly improve the aerodynamic characteristics and stealth performance of aircraft. Improving the driving efficiency of aircraft can reduce energy loss and improve flight efficiency. In order to investigate the effect of magnitude and direction of actuation force on the deflection of the trailing edge, the nonlinear beam model for the morphing trailing edge is developed and the finite difference method is used. Results show that the direction of the actuation force has a powerful effect on the deflection of a cantilever beam. The direction has been found to maximize the tip displacement when the actuation force is applied with a given magnitude. The minimum actuation force is almost perpendicular to the tangent to the deflection curve at the point of application. Numerical and experimental results show the loading case in which the actuation force is always perpendicular to the line tangent to the deflection curve shows high efficiency. It provides a guideline to design the actuation system for morphing trailing edge.