SBIR-STTR Award

Novel Aeroservoelastic Scaled Model Design, Fabrication, and Testing
Award last edited on: 1/12/2021

Sponsored Program
STTR
Awarding Agency
NASA : AFRC
Total Award Amount
$874,184
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
T15.01
Principal Investigator
Myles Baker

Company Information

M4 Engineering Inc

4020 Long Beach Boulevard Floor 2
Long Beach, CA 90807
   (562) 981-7797
   info@m4-engineering.com
   www.m4-engineering.com

Research Institution

University of Washington - Seattle

Phase I

Contract Number: 80NSSC18P2128
Start Date: 7/27/2018    Completed: 8/26/2019
Phase I year
2018
Phase I Amount
$124,842
We propose the demonstration of a novel aeroservoelastic scaled model design, optimization, and fabrication approach combining aeroservoelastic scaling with a combined topology/sizing optimization to match the target structural dynamic and aeroelastic behavior. Fabrication is using 3D printing techniques (metal and plastic/elastomer), along with automated electronic assembly techniques for in-situ instrumentation. A scaled model will be designed, fabricated, and tested in a low speed wind tunnel during Phase I to demonstrate the feasibility of dramatically reducing the cost of aeroservoelastic model tests. Potential NASA Applications Applies to all NASA aircraft and aviation technology development programs, including subsonic, supersonic, and hypersonic vehicles. Potential Non-NASA Applications Applies to wind tunnel and flight test validation of aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic behavior, which is relevant to any new aircraft development program.

Phase II

Contract Number: 80NSSC20C0019
Start Date: 12/20/2019    Completed: 12/19/2021
Phase II year
2020
Phase II Amount
$749,342
In Phase I we demonstrated the feasibility of a novel aeroservoelastic design approach for scaled model design, and demonstrated fabrication of the resulting designs as a ground test article. The test article from Phase I successfully replicated the scaled structural dynamic behavior, and demonstrated the integration of an instrumentation backbone based on PCB technology which allows integration of numerous sensors such as accelerometers, unsteady pressure sensors, and fiber optic strain sensors, along with the associated data acquisition, logging, and telemetry hardware. This allows novel sensing and control approaches such as trim shape control, induced drag tailoring, flutter suppression, and load alleviation to be accomplished. In Phase II we will demonstrate this technology in a subscale flight demonstration, raising the TRL of the technology to 8 or perhaps 9. This work will advance the state of the art by creating technology for rapid aeroelastic scaling of new designs to model level, rapid manufacturing of aeroelastic models (both wind tunnel and scaled flying models), and richer instrumentation and sensing that would lead to more insight and more useful information for the flight vehicle designer or flight test engineer regarding the aeroelastic characteristics of the new configurations in development. Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) This technology is directly applicable to virtually all NASA air vehicles. The resulting scaling and model design and simulation capabilities will contribute to model design and simulation of scaled research UAVs for NASA or new small UAVs at full scale.. The resulting flight vehicle (and duplicates, if more funding would become available later) would allow NASA to test advanced sensing and actuation technologies on new configurations, including configurations where nonlinear structural dynamic effects become significant. Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words) The resulting flight vehicle would allow NASA to test advanced sensing and actuation technologies on new configurations, including configurations where nonlinear structural dynamic effects become significant. In particular, we believe there is a good niche in the UAV market, where configuration are becoming more and more complex, and more and more players are entering the market.