Exploring the Impact of Rapidly Actuated Control Surfaces on Drone Aerodynamics

Abstract

This study investigates the use of rapidly actuated leading-edge and trailing-edge control surfaces to improve the control authority of small fixed-wing drones. Static and dynamic characteristics were investigated and presented in two separate papers. In this paper, the focus is on the dynamic effects observed from rapidly actuated 30% chord leading- or trailing-edge hinged control surfaces affixed to two flat-plate airfoils. Forces were resolved from surface pressure measurements and are augmented by PIV measurements, smoke flow visualization and analyses. The static study revealed that trailing-edge control surfaces exhibited higher effectiveness in producing time-averaged CL compared to leading-edge control surfaces. However, leading-edge control surfaces exhibit significantly less fluctuation in pressure and lift coefficients at fixed angles of attack and control surface deflections, indicating better stability. Unsteady aerodynamic effects of the airfoil at α=0∘ and “ramp” deflections of trailing- and leading-edge control surfaces from 0∘ to 40∘ with variations in actuation rates showed that CL peaks are approximately three to four times greater than static values for the case of the leading-edge control surface. This has significant implications for fixed-wing drone maneuverability and countering the effects of atmospheric turbulence.