Types of Morphing wings

Morphing wing technology is a vast subject in aviation industry. Since it is such an extraordinary technology there are many varieties in morphing wing too. Morphing wing is divided into these categories as shown in table below :

History

Morphing wing has been in aviation industry since the Wright Brothers era. During that Time wright Brothers decided to use twist which is out of plane type of morphing wing, they used it to roll the aircraft and it worked. As Years pass by many Aeronautical engineers started getting interested in morphing wing concept and started to experiment, the problem they were facing was with the material which can be used efficiently and at low cost. In 1951 the aircraft X-5 was flown with variable sweep wing which could change its shape depending on speed and it was quite efficient and later on aircrafts such f14 and f111 were also using same design geometry and this time the material was using Titanium which was very strong and light material, it is being used still in Aviation industry. Designers faced the problem of weight which still continues to be the problem for morphing wing aircraft but they didn’t let this issue to stop them so many designers designed morphing wing technology and applied into smaller scale in aircraft which included chord changing, leading and trailing edge changing, flaps changing one of the examples were F16 and F18 which uses leading edge changing morphing technology which is quite Beneficial. Latest and very successful example of morphing wing technology is Morphing Flap system which was made by Flexsys company for the Gulf Learjet. Designers are continuing to find appropriate design of morphing wing which will be efficient in fuel, would be having less weight and also at the same time less cost price.

Starting of Morphing wing

Wright Brothers Wright flyer twist morphing

Morphing wings has been part of Aviation since the time of Wright Brothers as mentioned earlier. Morphing wing has been researched deeply in order to enhance aircrafts ability to perform aerodynamically as required and to increase lift to drag ratio at all flight conditions by changing its shape. Wright Brothers Wright flyer is famous for its morphing twist but the beginning of morphing wing was actually even before Wright Brothers Time. In 1873 Clement Ader had done few experiments regarding morphing wing technology and had produced his design in the year 1890 as shown in figure below. He was the one to propose ideas for aviation for future. He divided the types of aircraft at that time into 3 types which were:

Scouts
Bombers
Airplanes

Scouts were the one in which morphing design was implemented later on 1903. The main purpose for scouts were fast speed, carry heavy loads, fly long distances, For these purposes their wings were designed as that of Bats. These objectives were achieved by adjusting the wing of aircraft which means morphing.

Clement Ader Model of Scout Aircraft

Ader describes his Airplanes of the Line as follows:

“The wings will be extendable in flight and their surface will be increased or decreased at will. These airplanes will be characterized by their agility but will also be of solid construction. To strengthen their framework, both in bat and bird-type construction I propose to make some of them of metal, following experiments and plans already made. Because these airplanes will be stored in great numbers, their wings will fold up completely with great ease…”

Morphing wings can be used in various components of aircraft to improve flexibility, aerodynamics, reduce weight and also improve fuel efficiency.

Adaptive Wing

Morphing wing can be implemented into adaptive wings, which is essential for increase in lift and decreases stall speed during take-off and landing. Devices are installed in leading and trailing edges in order to perform morphing and change aerodynamics according to the given scenario.