Semester
Fall
Date of Graduation
2013
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
MS
College
Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
Committee Chair
Wade W. Huebsch
Committee Co-Chair
John L. Loth
Committee Member
Patrick H. Browning
Abstract
The design of a solid-membrane folding wing for use on a tube launched micro air vehicle (MAV), and experimental wind tunnel results of the wing integrated on an engineering MAV model are presented herein. Due to the sizing and performance requirements of the MAV, the wing must provide sufficient wing area while minimizing its stowed footprint. Many current available methods for folding the wing for such a MAV sacrifice aerodynamic efficiency or are cost prohibitive. The solid-membrane wing design presented blends elements of a solid semi-rigid wing with those of a membrane wing. This provides the aerodynamic efficiency of a wing with conventional airfoils and reduces the required storage volume of the wing when folded. In order to demonstrate the performance benefits of the wing, the wing was integrated via 3D modeling into an engineering MAV model along with other MAV components including tail control fins, actuators, and other useful payloads. Wind tunnel testing over the anticipated flight regime was also conducted to evaluate the L/D performance of the solid-membrane winged MAV model to that of a conventional solid winged MAV model. The results indicate the solid-membrane folding wing design has satisfactory aerodynamic performance at a lower cost.
Recommended Citation
Allen, Joe D. Jr., "Folding Solid-Membrane Wing Structure for a Micro Air Vehicle" (2013). Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports. 559.
https://researchrepository.wvu.edu/etd/559