Orbital Research Aerodynamics Research - Manual

Recent Achievements
What follows is a brief synopsis of recent accomplishments of the
Aerodynamics Group at ORI.
"... Orbital Research is developing a phantom yaw control system
for weapons at high angle of attack (AoA), where conventional
control surfaces become ineffective. This system integrates active
microvortex generators, dynamic pressure sensors, and real-time
closed-loop controllers into isolated modules placed near the tip
of the nose cone. During wind tunnel testing of a prototype
system, a desired yaw moment was generated and maintained
over a large range of commanded values during high- AOA pitch
sweeps. A simila system is under development for autonomous
aircraft wing stall control.”
In reference to the above recognition, a high-alpha, closed-loop
flow control system for missile yaw stabilization and enhanced
maneuverability was designed, developed and successfully
demonstrated via wind tunnel experiments on a fin-less 3:1
tangent ogive missile model. The control system consisted of
pressure sensors and deployable flow effectors (micro-vortex
generators) arranged in concentric rings on the missile nose
cone. The closed-loop controller used sensor information to
modulate the flow effectors for manipulation of forebody flow
asymmetry around the missile forebody. Dynamic experiments
successfully demonstrated the ability of the closed-loop control
system to generate and maintain a range of desired yawing
moments during high-alpha pitch sweeps.
ORI has successfully developed and demonstrated an active
transparent stall control system for aerodynamic applications.
The system utilizes sensors, actuators, and a closed-loop
controller to enable active detection-and-control of local flow
separation so as to delay wing stall. The technique is independent
of control inputs from the on-board flight control system and
hence termed "transparent". The method of predicting flow
separation is based on the identification of characteristic shifts in
the power spectrum of the pressure fluctuations upstream of
flow separation. Micro-vortex generators were used for
controlling flow separation. This control system can be adapted
to work with a variety of flow control actuators that are effective
in controlling flow separation. This system is an enabling
technology for the "smart-wing" concept
r
Orbital Research, Inc. has developed a novel, hierarchical
modular control methodology - a closed-loop flow control
approach, for active virtual shaping of aerodynamic surfaces.
Through wind tunnel testing and numerical simulation, ORI
AIAA Aerospace America Recognizes ORI
Closed-Loop Missile Control at High Alpha
Active Transparent Stall Control System
Virtual AeroShaping of Air Vehicles
Excerpts from Aerospace America Dec. 2002 Issue, page 19
Reference Paper: AIAA Paper # 2002-2827
Journal of Aircraft, Vol. 40,
Number 5, Sept.-Oct. 2003
The MEMS Microvalve is
placed in the airfoil and either
deploys a mechanical flow
effector or directly actuates air
into the flow field.
Deployable flow effectors,
dynamic pressure sensors,
and real time closed-loop
controllers are integrated
near the tip of the nose cone.
AERODYNAMICS
RESEARCH
AERODYNAMICS
RESEARCH
T
he Aerodynamics Group at Orbital Research, Inc. is active in a wide variety of research and engineering
efforts that are focused on the design and development of advanced Active Flow Control systems for
aircraft and missiles. ORI employs state-of-the-art solutions utilizing exploratory wind tunnel
experiments coupled with high-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to advance
through the concept-to-development stages in a very time- and cost-efficient manner. Since its inception
in 1991, ORI has proven excellent track record of successful research programs funded by U.S.
government agencies, including Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), Army, Air Force, and
Special Operations Command (SOCOM). ORI has also been collaborating with large aerospace
corporations for specific R&D programs.
Contact: Frederick J. Lisy, Ph.D.
Telephone (216) 649-0399
E-mail [email protected]
www.orbitalresearch.com
Copyright 2003
Rev: MPP-10-23-03
O
C
rbital Research, Inc.
4415 Euclid Ave., Suite 500
leveland, OH 44103-3733