Overview
In the NOVEMOR (NOvel Air VEhicle Configurations: From Fluttering Wings to MORphing Flight) research project novel air vehicle configurations with new lifting concepts and morphing wing solutions will be investigated, to enable cost-effective air transportation.
The NOVEMOR project focusses on the following primary objectives:
- Design and evaluation of a new aircraft concept, the joined-wing configuration, including structural, aero dynamic and aero elastic simulations and analysis, flight testing of an aero elastically scaled remotely piloted vehicle and multidisciplinary design optimization techniques. This configuration will be evaluated against a conventional reference aircraft;
- Morphing wing solutions (span and camber strategies and wing-tip devices) will be proposed to enhance lift capabilities and manoeuvring. These will be considered early in the design process, right from the beginning of aircraft design cycle, included in the conceptual design;
- Design, testing and evaluation of several adaptive/morphing concepts and mechanisms as part of a conceptual design environment, capable of augmenting performance characteristics in terms of drag reduction, loads reduction, weight and noise impact reduction;
- To evaluate the overall benefits of these new concepts in terms of improved lift capabilities.
A multidisciplinary analysis and design optimisation environment developed in an earlier EU Project (SIMSAC) will be used and improved,to include analysis of novel configurations such as: the joined-wing concept for improved lift and morphing wing solutions as an integral part of the aircraft conceptual design, rather than just as an add-on later in the design cycle. Such concepts will enable optimum lift and manoeuvring capabilities, improved aircraft efficiencies, aerodynamic performance, reduced structural loads and lighter weight.
Funding
Results
Novel wing concepts for greener flight
EU-funded scientists are advancing aircraft lifting technology beyond the state of the art. Modelling and design tools, novel configurations and wind tunnel test procedures should speed commercialisation of greener aircraft.
Novel wing designs that reduce drag not only support lift but can also reduce fuel consumption and associated costs and emissions.
Scientists initiated the EU-funded project 'Novel air vehicles configurations: from fluttering wings to morphing flight' (http://www.novemor.eu/novemor/homepage.aspx (NOVEMOR)) to improve performance. In particular, the consortium is investigating a novel joined-wing configuration and the use of wings that change their shape. In the joined-wing configuration, the two wings are connected in some way such as from tip to tip over the top.
Partners developed design tools for morphing wingtips and active camber concepts to actively change the symmetry between the top and bottom surfaces of the wing. Designs of both concepts have been completed and more detailed numerical analyses support major benefits for the active camber concepts in particular.
Simultaneously, investigators have nearly completed evaluation of materials and actuating devices for the morphing wing concepts. In addition, they have developed numerous models for design and simulation of both reference and novel aircraft with morphing surfaces.
System analysis and integration will take off during the following period with completion of all materials, models and components work. Wind tunnel and flight demonstrators are under development with the majority of work to date covering the morphing of conventional aircraft. Testing paradigms are currently being planned. They will be followed by thorough analysis of benefits in terms of drag, weight, noise and overall performance.
NOVEMOR outcomes should significantly decrease the costs of design and development as well as aeroplane operation costs and emissions. Perhaps equally importantly, they will help put the EU in a leadership position regarding efficient and environmentally friendly air transport.