Session: 03-04-01: Emerging Materials Technology I

Paper Number: 107298

107298 - Development of a Bio-Inspired Sweeping Wing Structure by Utilizing the Emerging Materials in Advanced Additive Manufacturing 

Nature often displays the most efficient and viable motion principles in kinematics. The motion of wing sweeping, flapping, and folding of airborne animals such as birds, bats, and insects have inspired engineers and scientists to integrate similar skills into modern aeronautics to increase the aircraft's maneuverability, dynamic motion stability, and fuel efficiency. There have been efforts to replicate the sweeping and folding mechanisms to support the dynamic motion by utilizing mechanical pivots between the root of the wing and the mobile section. These efforts successfully produced aircraft such as the F-111, F-14, and the MiG-23, some of which are still in operation. However, the complex mechanical structure required to sweep the wing and transfer loads have several significantly heavy components, which results in decreased payload capacity or aircraft performance. The primary prominence of this study is to substitute the heavy mechanical joints using engineering origami-inspired flexible hinges and compliant structures to permit sweeping up to 60°. The concept wing is designed based on the fundamental engineering-origami principle, where the material's thickness is negligible compared to its length and width. Initial models were developed on 3D software to create multi-segment tapered sweeping wing platforms with negligible thickness. The wing segments were developed to create a fin when swept back to reduce the spanwise flow and avoid possible drag that might occur during the cruise. The models were tested with several wing segments, sweep angles, and wingspans to find the best configuration. These iterations are investigated and used to determine the feasibility of the produced models to examine future practicability. This new concept is enabled by utilizing additive manufacturing materials to help overcome the complexity of the designed structure. The polyjet additive manufacturing technique is then employed to demonstrate a working prototype of the mathematical theory and 3-D design in addition to digital simulations. This technique assists in reducing the production and curing time of the current technology at hand and empowers more precise and compound parts to be manufactured. The 3-D models were developed to replicate a polymer-fiber composite construction suitable for additive manufacturing conditions; fiber-like microstructures were built into the main load-carrying sweeping panels to demonstrate increased stiffness, whereas a flexible polymer was used as the compliant hinges. The flexible hinge sheets are then inserted into the predefined grooves on each panel's connection side, creating a sandwich-like structure. The prototype demonstrated sweeping motion and required kinematics to conclude the study objective. Physical test results observed by the motion of the hinges and connections show the same consistency as the expected value from 3D Simulations.

Presenting Author: Velda Basak Soydas Texas A&M University-Kingsville

Presenting Author Biography: Velda Basak Soydas is an Industrial Management and Technology Lecturer at Texas A&M University- Kingsville. Her research interests are bio-inspired composite structures, 3D Printing systems, and modern manufacturing techniques. She completed her bachelor's in Materials Engineering in Istanbul, Turkey, then shortly after her completion, she joined TAMUK for her master's degree in Mechanical Engineering. During her master's degree, she worked as a Teaching Assistant and got an academic full-ride scholarship throughout her education at TAMUK. She specialized in contemporary composite manufacturing techniques and 3D printing systems. After graduation, she was offered to join TAMUK as a lecturer in the Industrial Management and Technology department. She has been working for the College of Engineering as a lecturer since 2019. As a lecturer at TAMUK, she received several grants and the Professor of the Year award in 2021. She is currently responsible for her department's undergraduate recruitment efforts, social media, and web designs. She decided to follow an academic career and started her Ph.D. at TAMUK in Engineering in 2021. She is currently a full-time employee and a Ph.D. candidate.

Authors:

Velda Basak Soydas Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Larry Peel Texas A&M University- Kingsville