Design and Implementation of a Variable Camber Mechanism for a Small Fixed-Wing UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)

Inspired by nature and avionic birds, this paper introduces effective airfoil morphing mechanisms followed by its detailed design, implementation, and control aspects. Unlike conventional fixed-wing aircraft that use control surfaces such as flaps and ailerons for flight control, the concept of morphing is a more substantial and conformal shape change that has the advantages of enhanced aerodynamic performances, including longer flight time and range, radar signature, from reduced D (drag force) or improved L (lift force)/D, L and D ratio. Camber is the curvature in the airfoil, and camber morphing is one way of adjusting the camber rate or curvature to modify the flight profile by adjusting L and D. Various works have shown the effectiveness of camber morphing; however, the actual implementation and control of effective mechanisms have not been fully developed for UAVs since camber morphing requires specific internal mechanisms that are light and simple and conformally change the camber rate accordingly. This paper shares detailed design, implementation, and expected costs for converting from conventional to morphing UAVs in future applications.