MORPHING aircraft are usually defined as aircraft that are capable of large or small changes in its configuration that produce an increase in the aircraft performance parameters, usually expanding its operational range. Examples of morphing technologies are high lift devices such as flaps and slats, which are used since very early times in aviation history. These technologies allow the aircraft wing to change its camber and increase its chord and area, allowing the aircraft to fly at lower speeds during take-off and landing. More recently, there has been some research on new ways of changing camber and wing area through usage of several types of novel and traditional actuators. Camber morphing is performed using smart materials as actuators. Piezoceramic composite actuators were studied and optimized for camber morphing using fluid-structure interaction and further developments of this technology led to wind tunnel and flight demonstration.
Last date updated on September, 2024