Shape-shifting robot plane offers safer alternative for maritime rescue.

Maritime search and rescue is often hampered by severe weather, posing a major risk to helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft and their crews. The cost in material and human life can prove high. ASARP set out to design a UAV to undertake such rescue missions more effectively.

Counteracting effect of wind

"The main problem is that UAVs are small, light and affected by extreme weather," explains project coordinator Dr Michael Amprikidis of engineering consultancy GGD. ASARP tackled this by using reactive shape-changing control surfaces. The shape-changing elements of the plane: aeroservoelastic trim tabs, can be vibrated in counterphase to wind gusts to reduce loads by as much 25%, allowing the UAV to fly in severe weather. On-board sensors monitor stability and provide constant feedback to the ailerons.

"Aeroservoelastic technology makes it possible to use wind speed and the structural mechanics of the system to our advantage," says Dr Amprikidis. The technology was the subject of a previous project in which he evaluated design concepts involving aeroelastic deformation of the airframe enabling aircraft to withstand heavy winds. Optimum efficiency was obtained through continual adjustment of the aircraft shape.

"Several technologies were used, including aeroservoelastic trim tabs," he says. This involves three deformable surfaces used in conjunction with the flight controls and able to move at high frequencies. "A tab can have very high oscillation frequency; traditional flight surfaces cannot match these frequencies, leading to up-and-down movement of aircraft during turbulence."

Keywords: Emerging Technologies, Eureka, Machine Learning, Robotics.

This article was prepared by NewsRx Health & Science editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, NewsRx Health & Science via VerticalNews.com.

Shape-shifting robot plane offers safer alternative for maritime rescue.

Maritime search and rescue is often hampered by severe weather, posing a major risk to helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft and their crews. The cost in material and human life can prove high. ASARP set out to design a UAV to undertake such rescue missions more effectively.

Counteracting effect of wind

"The main problem is that UAVs are small, light and affected by extreme weather," explains project coordinator Dr Michael Amprikidis of engineering consultancy GGD. ASARP tackled this by using reactive shape-changing control surfaces. The shape-changing elements of the plane: aeroservoelastic trim tabs, can be vibrated in counterphase to wind gusts to reduce loads by as much 25%, allowing the UAV to fly in severe weather. On-board sensors monitor stability and provide constant feedback to the ailerons.

"Aeroservoelastic technology makes it possible to use wind speed and the structural mechanics of the system to our advantage," says Dr Amprikidis. The technology was the subject of a previous project in which he evaluated design concepts involving aeroelastic deformation of the airframe enabling aircraft to withstand heavy winds. Optimum efficiency was obtained through continual adjustment of the aircraft shape.

"Several technologies were used, including aeroservoelastic trim tabs," he says. This involves three deformable surfaces used in conjunction with the flight controls and able to move at high frequencies. "A tab can have very high oscillation frequency; traditional flight surfaces cannot match these frequencies, leading to up-and-down movement of aircraft during turbulence."

Keywords: Emerging Technologies, Eureka, Machine Learning, Robotics.

This article was prepared by NewsRx Health & Science editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2010, NewsRx Health & Science via VerticalNews.com.