The Case For the Mission Adaptive Compliant Wing

This schematic shows the basic concept for an adaptive compliant wing. The leading and trailing edge contain embedded compliant systems, consisting of a compliant mechanism, actuators, and a control system that triggers the actuators when flight conditions change.

Compliant Wing is Better Than Hinged Flaps

Aerodynamicists know that aircraft wings should smoothly alter their shape in response to changing flight conditions in order to optimize performance. Conventional aircraft employ rigid, hinged flaps, ailerons, and other control surfaces that crudely approximate the ‘optimal’ airfoil shape. Hinged control surfaces increase fuel consumption on endurance aircraft and limit the maneuverability of fighter planes.

FlexSys Wing is a First

FlexSys has developed the world's first functional, smooth, hinge-free wing whose trailing and/or leading edges morph on demand to adapt to different flight conditions. With Air Force SBIR funding, we have designed and patented our technology, built working prototypes, and demonstrated their performance in wind tunnels. A fully instrumented model will undergo flight demonstration in 2006. Our shape-morphing wing is proving to be lightweight, power efficient, and durable.

Adaptive Compliant Wings Provide Significant Fuel Savings

The most far reaching impact of this technology is fuel savings in the range of 5% to 15% for long-range military and commercial fixed wing aircraft. Studies by NASA Dryden Flight Research Center showed that a one percent reduction in drag for the U.S. fleet of wide-body transport aircraft could result in savings of approximately $140 million per year. Currently, approximately 50% of the airline operating budget is due to fuel costs. In addition to this impressive efficiency increase, we are also studying alternative applications for Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, wind turbine generators, and even sail boats. In short, the FlexSys shape morphing technology offers performance benefits for anything that moves through air or water.