A NEW X-ACTUATOR DESIGN FOR DUAL BENDING/TWISTING CONTROL OF WINGS

Recent development of smart structures and structronic systems has demonstrated the technology in many engineering applications. Active structural control of aircraft wings or helicopter blades (e.g., shapes, flaps, leading and/or trailing edges) can significantly enhance the aerodynamic efficiency and flight maneuverability of high-performance airplanes and helicopters. This paper is to evaluate the dual bending and torsion vibration control effects of an X-actuator configuration reconfigured from a parallel configuration. The finite element (FE) formulation of a new FE using the layerwise constant shear angle theory is reviewed and the derived governing equations are discussed. Bending and torsion control effects of plates are studied using the FE method and also demonstrated via laboratory experiments. The FE and experimental results both suggest the X-actuator is effective for both bending and torsion control of plates.