Manufacturer aims to obtain optimum shape for flight and improve performance
Airbus France has obtained a US patent for a method of warping wings using articulating winglets to provide improved whole-wing aerodynamics for different phases of flight.
Warping helps to distribute aerodynamic loading along the wing and reduce drag, but can only operate in one phase of flight, normally the cruise.
Airbus's patent describes how the angular position of the winglet relative to the wing can induce torsional forces that warp the wing to the optimum shape for flight. The winglet's angular position would be controllable, providing active warping control. This is expected to improve lift at low speeds.
The moving winglet would pivot around a line of articulation parallel to the aircraft's longitudinal axis to induce the warp.
The patent refers to a variety of sensors that would measure the degree of warping and other parameters, such as wing temperature. Airbus declines to comment on the patent application.
The European manufacturer has previously researched articulated wings and winglets for improved aerodynamics at different speeds.
A 42-month, €4.9 million ($6.5 million) European Union-funded research programme on the issue began in October 2002 (Flight International, 7-14 September 2004).
ROB COPPINGER/LONDON
Source: Flight International
