Manufacturing and characterisation of a composite FishBAC morphing wind tunnel model

Compliance-based camber morphing is a promising alternative to conventional aircraft control surfaces, such as rigid trailing edge plain flaps, which vary aerofoil camber in a sharp, sudden and discontinuous way. Unlike traditional trailing edge flaps, camber morphing based on compliant structural design achieves smooth and continuous changes in camber which have been shown to provide a similar lift control authority with significantly reduced drag penalty. One promising camber morphing concept is the Fish Bone Active Camber (FishBAC) device, which is currently being investigated for application to fixed and rotary wing vehicles. In order to extend the understanding of the aerodynamic behavior of this device and also to improve its structural behaviour, a wind tunnel model of a composite FishBAC equipped NACA 23012 wing section has been built. This paper will describe the manufacture of this morphing wing section, and present experimental characterisation of its actuators, the materials and the structural response under actuation loads. Finally, an initial design study is performed to investigate the useful ability of the FishBAC to create spanwise variations in camber, to control spanwise lift distribution and to modify three-dimensional wing stall.