A Possible Adaptive Wing Apparatus for New UAV Configurations

The problem of wing shape modification under loads in order to enhance the aircraft performance and control is continuously improving by researchers. This requirement is in contrast to the airworthiness regulations that constraint stiffness and stress of the structure in order to maintain structural integrity under operative flight conditions. The lifting surface modification is more stringent in those cases, such as UAV configurations, where the installed power is limited but the variety of operative scenario is wider than in conventional aircraft. A possible solution for adaptive wing configuration can be found in the VENTURAS Project idea. The VENTURAS Project is a funded project with the aim of improve the wind turbine efficiency by means of introducing a twisting capability for the blade sections according to the best situation in any wind condition. The blade structure is composed by two parts: 1) internal supporting element, 2) external deformable envelope. The internal structure is dimensioned in order to support the shear-bending-torsion resultant loads due to wind condition, the external deformable part is capable of supporting aerodynamic pressure, transferring the surface loads to internal specific ribs that rotate in order to reach the optimal blade configuration in twist. The VENTURAS items will be presented with the major results for the structural point of view. The evaluation of the extension of such an idea to UAV wing structure will be presented and discussed.