Design and control of tensegrity morphing airfoils. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Muhao; Liu, Jiacheng; Skelton, Robert E.
• Is Part Of: Mechanics research communications. Volume 103(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: Tensegrity structures -- Morphing airfoil -- Nonlinear dynamics -- Nonlinear control -- Integrating structure and control design; Mechanics, Applied -- Periodicals; Mécanique appliquée -- Périodiques; Mechanics, Applied; Periodicals; 530
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mechrescom.2020.103480
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0093-6413

Abstract

Abstract: We present a general approach of design, dynamics, and control for tensegrity morphing airfoils. Firstly, based on reduced order Class- k tensegrity dynamics, a shape control law for tensegrity systems is derived. Then, we develop a method for discretizing continuous airfoil curves based on shape accuracy. This method is compared with conventional methods (i.e. evenly spacing and cosine spacing methods). A tensegrity topology for shape controllable airfoil is proposed. A morphing tensegrity airfoil example is given to demonstrate successful shape control. This work paves a road towards integrating structure and control design, the principles developed here can also be used for 3D morphing airfoil design and control of various kinds of tensegrity structures.