Numerical optimization of the UAS-S4 Éhecatl airfoil using a morphing wing approach

Sugar-Gabor, O; Simon, A; Koreanschi, A; Botez, RM

Abstract

In this paper, we describe the new methodology and the results obtained for multiple flight conditions optimization of the airfoil of the S4 unmanned aerial system, using a morphing wing approach. The goal of reducing the airfoil drag coefficient over a broad range of speeds and angles of attack has been achieved using an in-house optimization tool based on the relatively new Artificial Bee Colony algorithm, coupled with the Broyden-Fletcher-Goldfarb-Shanno algorithm to provide a final refinement of the solution. The obtained results were validated with an advanced, multi-objective, commercially available optimizing tool. The aerodynamic calculations were performed using a 2D linear panel method, coupled with an incompressible boundary layer model and a transition estimation criterion, to provide accurate estimations of the airfoil drag coefficient. For very small displacements of the airfoil surface, less than 2.5 mm, drag reductions of up to 14% have been achieved for a wide range of different flight conditions.

Citation

Sugar-Gabor, O., Simon, A., Koreanschi, A., & Botez, R. (2014, June). Numerical optimization of the UAS-S4 Éhecatl airfoil using a morphing wing approach. Presented at 32nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum, Atalnta, Georgia, USA

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: 32nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference, AIAA AVIATION Forum
• Conference Location: Atalnta, Georgia, USA
• Start Date: Jun 16, 2014
• End Date: Jun 20, 2014
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Mar 10, 2017
• Book Title: 32nd AIAA Applied Aerodynamics Conference
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2514/6.2014-2274
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.2514/6.2014-2274
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference