• Smart Structures and Systems
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.193-207
• /
• 2019

This study concerns with morphing structures, e.g. as applied in the aerospace industry. A morphing aerofoil structure capable of variable geometry was developed, which was shown to be able to cater for the different aerodynamic requirements at different stages of flight. In this work, the useful and relatively simple method has been applied, which provides a direct method for calculating required morphing shape displacements via finding the most effective bar through calculating bar sensitivity to displacement and calculating set of length actuations for bar assembly to control/adjust shape imperfection of prestressable structural assemblies including complex elements ("macro-elements", e.g., the pantographic element), involving Matrix Condensation. The technique has been verified by experiments on the physical model of an aerofoil shaped morphing pantographic structure. Overall, experimental results agree well with theoretical prediction. Furthermore, the technique of multi-iteration adjustment was presented that effective in eliminating errors that occur in the practical adjustment process itself. It has been demonstrated by the experiments on the physical model of pantographic morphing structure. Finally, the study discusses identification of the most effective bars with the objective of minimal number of actuators or minimum actuation.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.225-240
• /
• 2011

Active and shape morphing aerospace structures are discussed with a focus on activities aimed at practical implementation. In active structures applications range from dynamic load alleviation in aircraft and spacecraft up to static and dynamic shape control. In contrast, shape morphing means strong shape variation according to different mission status and needs, aiming to enhance functionality and performance over wide flight and mission regimes. The interaction of required flexible materials with the morphing structure and the actuating mechanisms is specifically addressed together with approaches in design and simulation.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.25 no.1
• /
• pp.160-170
• /
• 2008

Shape morphing is the process of transforming a source shape, through intermediate shapes, into a target shape. Two main problems to be considered in three dimensional shape morphing are vertex correspondence and path interpolation. In this paper, an approach which uses the linear interpolation of the Laplacian coordinates of the source and target meshes is introduced for the determination of more plausible path when two topologically identical shapes are morphed. When two shapes to be morphed are different in shape and topology, a new method which combines shape deformation theory based on Laplacian coordinate and mean value coordinate with distance field theory is proposed for the efficient treatment of vertex correspondence and path interpolation problems. The validity and effectiveness of the suggested method was demonstrated by using it to morph large and complex polygon models including male and female whole body models.

• International Journal of Aeronautical and Space Sciences
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.58-63
• /
• 2012

In general, a conventional flap on an aircraft wing can reduce the aerodynamic efficiency due to geometric discontinuity. On the other hand, the aerodynamic performance can be improved by using a shape-morphing wing instead of a separate flap. In this research, a new flap morphing mechanism that can change the wing shape smoothly was devised to prevent aerodynamic losses. Moreover, a prototype wing was fabricated to demonstrate the morphing mechanism. A shape memory alloy (SMA) wire actuator was used for the morphing wing. The specific current range was measured to control the SMA actuator. The deflection angles at the trailing edge were also measured while various currents were applied to the SMA actuator. The trailing edge of the wing changed smoothly when the current was applied. Moreover, the deflection angle also increased as the current increased. The maximum frequency level was around 0.1 Hz. The aerodynamic performance of the deformed airfoil by the SMA wire was analyzed by using the commercial program GAMBIT and FLUENT. The results were compared with the results of an undeformed wing. It was demonstrated that the morphing mechanism changes the wing shape smoothly without the extension of the wing skin.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society For Composite Materials Conference
• /
• 2003.10a
• /
• pp.146-149
• /
• 2003

Two-way shape memory effect(TWSME) under residual stresses are considered in the present study. The structure using two-way shape memory alloy(SMA) concept returns to its initial shape by increasing or decreasing temperature under the initially given residual stress. In the present study, we use a thermo-mechanical constitutive equation of SMA and laminated composite plates are considered as simple morphing structural components which are based on first order shear deformable laminated composite plate with large deflection. Numerical results of fully coupled SMA-composite structures are presented

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.168-174
• /
• 2012

This paper presents a bending propagating actuation using SMA (Shape Memory Alloy) spring for an effective shape transition of a flytrap-inspired soft morphing structure. The flytrap-inspired soft morphing structure is made from unsymmetric CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Prepreg) structure which shows bi-stability and snap-through phenomenon. For a thin and large curved bistable CFRP structure, SMA spring is more acceptable than SMA wire and piezoelectric actuator which used in previous investigations. A bending propagating actuation is proposed which can induce snap-through of the bi-stable CFRP structure effectively. From this research, effective shape transition of soft morphing structure is possible.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
• /
• v.44 no.7
• /
• pp.562-567
• /
• 2016

Morphing wing which has a configuration optimized to flight speed and condition is faced to a lot of barriers to be overcome such as actuator technique, structural mechanization technique, flexible skin material, control law, and so on. As the first step for developing a morphing wing with rapid response, we designed and fabricated the morphing airfoil using a SMA(shape memory alloy) wire actuator and torsional bias springs. The design concept of the morphing airfoil was verified through operation test. The measured results show that the flap deflects smoothly and fast.

• Korean Journal of Computational Design and Engineering
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.269-279
• /
• 2002

Geometric shape morphing is an interesting geometric operation that interpolates two geometric shapes to generate in-betweens. It is well known that Minkowski operations can be used to test and build collision-free motion paths and to modify shapes in digital image processing. In this paper, we present a new geometric modeling technique to control the morphing on geometric shapes based on Minkowski sum. The basic idea develops from the linear interpolation on two geometric shapes where the traditional algebraic sum is replaced by Minkowski sum. We extend this scheme into a Bezier-like control structure with multiple control shapes, which enables the interactive control over the intermediate shapes during the morphing sequence as in the traditional CAGD curve/surface editing. Moreover, we apply the theory of blossoming to our control structure, whereby our control structure becomes even more flexible and general. In this paper, we present mathematical models of control structure, their properties, and computational issues with examples.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
• /
• v.31 no.3 s.162
• /
• pp.463-474
• /
• 2007

With rapid expansion in e-retailing of apparel business, personalized fitting model service shows the possibility as the differentiated marketing strategy in cyber shopping. According as necessity of personalized fitting model construction rises, it is tried personalized fitting model creation in several fields such as computer engineering, mechanical engineering, information engineering. But, because existent study was concentrated only on human body modeling, it does not reflect average morphological characteristics of human body properly. In this study, we wish to examine if morphing is fit for expressing characteristic of average human body shape and suggest desirable morphing. We used 3-D scan data of 254 Korean middle aged men collected by Size Korea 2004. The result of this study are as follows: Lower body types were categorized by height hip girth and lower drop(hip girth-navel girth) which were main factors of lower body shape. Then each factor was divided into 3 groups respectively, 30% in the middle, over 30%, under 30%. In 27 groups, the group which belonged to 30% in the middle of height, 30% in the middle of hip girth, 30% in the middle of lower drop was selected as a representative group. We tested geometrical figure by differ volume, tilt, position of point. And we created a representative type of men's lower bodies by morphing the representative group and analyzed it's horizontal, vertical sections. A representative type which was created by morphing reflected a real body and changed realistically at the part of hip, crotch, calf muscle and so on. A cross sections of a representative type were similar to average cross sections of the representative group in size and shape. So it was proved that morphing was successful.

• Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.103-117
• /
• 2022

In this paper, a novel morphing mechanism using a deployable scissor structure was proposed for a variable camber morphing wing. The mechanism was designed through the optimization process so that the rib can form the target airfoils with different cambers. Lastly, the morphing wing was manufactured and its performance was successfully evaluated. The mechanism of the morphing wing rib was realized by a set of deployable scissor structure that can form diverse curvatures. This characteristic of the structure allows the mechanism to vary the camber that refers to the airfoil's curvature. The mechanism is not restrictive in defining the target shapes, allowing various airfoils and overall morphing wing shape to be implemented.