Method for the Pre-design of a Smart Droop Nose Device using a Simplex Optimization Scheme

The high lift systems of modern-day commercial airplanes are highly effective systems providing the required lift during take-off and approach at low flight velocities. State-of-the-art high lift systems consist of movable control surfaces which when deployed increase high lift performance. Typical devices are slats and fowler flaps which consist of rigid parts supported and driven by complex mechanical systems. To achieve the ambitious goals defined in the strategic research agendas provided by the “Advisory Council for Aeronautical Research in Europe” (ACARE), technologies to consequently reduce drag, emissions and airframe noise will be necessary. The goals for the environment (based on the technological level of 2000) are a reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50%, a reduction of NOx emissions by 80 %, a reduction of perceived external noise by 50% and a reduction of the impact of production, maintenance, and disposal of the A/C [1]. In this context especially innovative high lift systems at the leading edge are of major interest. A methodology for the structural pre-design of a “smart droop nose” device using a simplex optimization scheme is presented. Slot- and gapless smart droop nose devices as innovative high lift devices at the leading edge have significant advantages regarding airframe noise and constitute a key technology for drag reduction by natural laminar flow.