The implementation of a knowledge-based framework for the aerodynamic optimization of a morphing wing device

In the field of aerospace engineering currently a lot of research effort is directed towards the reduction of cruise drag of civil transport aircraft in order to reduce fuel burn, and hence environmental impact and costs. In order to reduce cruise drag, a promising method is under consideration by adjusting, or rather morphing the rear part of the aircraft’s wing during cruise flight. Given the premature state of knowledge of such a design implementation, a knowledge-based computational framework is developed. The purpose of this framework is to allow for an aerodynamic optimization of a section of the wing. The framework is set up in such a way that all relevant design knowledge generated in the process can be captured and used in a subsequent mechanical design process. In this fashion, the complex design process of a novel morphing wing device can be automated to a certain degree. This automation can be used to construct a large number of different feasible and optimized designs with varying boundary conditions of a complex experimental device.This article describes the initial 2-dimensional aerodynamic design step of the morphing device under consideration and how it is implemented in a knowledge-based optimization framework. It describes the initial stage of the development of this tool, as it will be expanded by a number of design steps that each adds more detail to the design in all relevant aspect fields (aerodynamic, structural, actuation, etc.). Ultimately, this tool will be used to obtain a thorough evaluation of a number of different proposed structural solutions and allow for a comparison between them.