Morphing Structure for a Rudder

摘要

The modification of airfoils with structural morphing in order to enhance aerodynamic efficiency is an active field of research of better solutions. The forces and induced displacements required are, usually, out the current developments on Shape Memory Alloys, Piezo- Electric actuators, or Multi-stable structures, for commercial transport aircraft applications. This work aims to present the studies carried out for obtaining an optimum rudder structure which morphs to a pre-defined curvature that can sustain aerodynamic and internal loads in a critical certification load case for a commercial transport aircraft. It also includes the feasibility of a morphing rudder based on a Zero Poison Skeleton achieved with an Additive Layer Manufacturing Process.