Seamless Morphing Concepts for Smart Aircraft Wing Tip

Morphing concepts were investigated for a wingtip with active trailing edge (WATE) in an adaptive wing. The basic functionality is to take up geometric gap changes in order to maintain a smooth transition between connected parts. A specific material was tailored in order to meet a set of initially formulated requirements, which involve low modulus, high fatigue life, and stability against physical aging in a temperature range from −55 to +80 °C. A variety of material samples and joints were prepared and tested in order to provide a database for numerical simulation and sizing. One of the proposed solutions was developed until the physical sub-component level. Finally, morphing parts were prepared and delivered for assembly in ground test and true-scale wind tunnel demonstrators.