Development of Morphing Aircraft Structure Using SMP

<p>The U.S Air Force needs new aircraft which provide longer flight time less fuel consumption better aerodynamics in order to perform Air Force missions successfully as the mission environment changes rapidly. A morphing wing aircraft is considered as a potential new aircraft for those missions. This thesis explores Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) properties test results and its applicacation for morphing wing skin. Several SMP composite laminates were considered for investigating shape changing characteristics required for morphing skin. The braided composite prefoms used in making SMP composites were explored in morphing wing operating system based on the results of property tests. The system definition life cycle of system user analysis and some architecture for identifying systems effectively formed the basis for the generic system engineering process presented. Further this thesis explores initial geometric deformability recovery characteristics material property estimates and develops the system using morphing material in order to present a concept for emerging morphing wing aircraft as a potential future Air Force's alternative. Based upon this research the material system considered here does not meet the morphing requirement for such aircraft.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>