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Article
Publication date: 5 October 2015

Aaron Aw Teik Hong, Renuganth Varatharajoo and Fairuz Romli

The purpose of this paper is to develop analytic solutions for a tethered satellite system (TSS) subjected to internal tether tension moment and external aerodynamic torque for…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop analytic solutions for a tethered satellite system (TSS) subjected to internal tether tension moment and external aerodynamic torque for spin-up and spin-down manoeuvres.

Design/methodology/approach

Analytic solutions for TSS based on the approximation of Euler’s equations of motion via Fresnel integrals and sine and cosine integrals. Test simulation was performed for two cases (spin-up and spin-down manoeuvres). The conclusion is based on graphical interpretation.

Findings

The effects of angular velocities on X, Y and Z axes of the TSS under the influence of combined torques from internal tether tension and external aerodynamic drag influenced during spinning manoeuvres are shown graphically.

Research limitations/implications

This research focuses only on a circular orbit, which is one of the simplest orbits without many variables taken into account such as flight path angle and true anomaly. It could get quite complex for other orbit types like elliptic and parabolic orbits.

Practical implications

Practical implications include observing the stability rotational motion of TSS so as to perform a two-way payload exchange via momentum transfer.

Originality/value

In this paper, analytic solutions for a torque motion of a TSS comprising non-linear Euler’s equations of motion are established for spin-up and spin-down manoeuvres.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology: An International Journal, vol. 87 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 October 2018

Ewa Marcinkiewicz, Zdobyslaw Jan Goraj and Marcin Figat

The purpose of this paper is to describe an integrated approach to spin analysis based on 6-DOF (degrees of freedom) fully nonlinear equations of motion and a three-dimensional…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe an integrated approach to spin analysis based on 6-DOF (degrees of freedom) fully nonlinear equations of motion and a three-dimensional multigrid Euler method used to specify a flow model. Another purpose of this study is to investigate military trainer performance during a developed phase of a deliberately executed spin, and to predict an aircraft tendency while entering a spin and its response to control surface deflections needed for recovery.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess spin properties, the calculations of aerodynamic characteristics were performed through an angle-of-attack range of −30 degrees to +50 degrees and a sideslip-angle range of −30 degrees to +30 degrees. Then, dynamic equations of motion of a rigid aircraft together with aerodynamic loads being premised on stability derivatives concept were numerically integrated. Finally, the examination of light turboprop dynamic behaviour in post-stalling conditions was carried out.

Findings

The computational method used to evaluate spin was positively verified by comparing it with the experimental outcome. Moreover, the Euler code-based approach to lay down aerodynamics could be considered as reliable to provide high angles-of-attack characteristics. Conclusions incorporate the results of a comparative analysis focusing especially on comprehensive assessment of output data quality in relation to flight tests.

Originality/value

The conducted calculations take into account aerodynamic and flight dynamic interaction of an aerobatic-category turboprop in spin conditions. A number of manoeuvres considering different aircraft configurations were simulated. The computational outcomes were subsequently compared to the results of in-flight tests and the collected data were thoroughly analysed to draw final conclusions.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1958

The problem of hydrogen embrittlement has been approached in a less theoretical manner than in some previous investigations. Factors were considered which could be utilized to…

Abstract

The problem of hydrogen embrittlement has been approached in a less theoretical manner than in some previous investigations. Factors were considered which could be utilized to minimize embrittlement in processing especially with the higher strength steels which suiter mostly.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 21 July 2020

Tomasz Rogalski, Paweł Rzucidło and Jacek Prusik

The paper aims to present an idea of automatic control algorithms dedicated to both small manned and unmanned aircraft, capable to perform spin maneuver automatically. This is a…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present an idea of automatic control algorithms dedicated to both small manned and unmanned aircraft, capable to perform spin maneuver automatically. This is a case of maneuver far away from so-called standard flight. The character of this maneuver and the range of aircraft flight parameters changes restrict application of standard control algorithms. Possibility of acquisition full information about aircraft flight parameters is limited as well in such cases. This paper analyses an alternative solution that can be applied in some specific cases.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create basics for development of structures of control algorithms. Simplified analytical approach was applied to tune regulators. Results of research were verified in series of software-in-the loop, computer simulations.

Findings

The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight (spin flight as example selected) was found and the method how to tune regulators was presented as well.

Practical implications

It could be a fundament for autopilots working in non-conventional flight states and aircraft automatic recovery systems.

Originality/value

The paper presents author’s original approach to aircraft automatic control when high control precision is not the priority, and not all flight parameters can be precisely measured.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 February 2019

S. Abolfazl Mokhtari and Mehdi Sabzehparvar

The paper aims to present an innovative method for identification of flight modes in the spin maneuver, which is highly nonlinear and coupled dynamic.

Abstract

Purpose

The paper aims to present an innovative method for identification of flight modes in the spin maneuver, which is highly nonlinear and coupled dynamic.

Design/methodology/approach

To fix the mode mixing problem which is mostly happen in the EMD algorithm, the authors focused on the proposal of an optimized ensemble empirical mode decomposition (OEEMD) algorithm for processing of the flight complex signals that originate from FDR. There are two improvements with the OEEMD respect to the EEMD. First, this algorithm is able to make a precise reconstruction of the original signal. The second improvement is that the OEEMD performs the task of signal decomposition with fewer iterations and so with less complexity order rather than the competitor approaches.

Findings

By applying the OEEMD algorithm to the spin flight parameter signals, flight modes extracted, then with using systematic technique, flight modes characteristics are obtained. The results indicate that there are some non-standard modes in the nonlinear region due to couplings between the longitudinal and lateral motions.

Practical implications

Application of the proposed method to the spin flight test data may result accurate identification of nonlinear dynamics with high coupling in this regime.

Originality/value

First, to fix the mode mixing problem in EMD, an optimized ensemble empirical mode decomposition algorithm is introduced, which disturbed the original signal with a sort of white Gaussian noise, and by using white noise statistical characteristics the OEEMD fix the mode mixing problem with high precision and fewer calculations. Second, by applying the OEEMD to the flight output signals and with using the systematic method, flight mode characteristics which is very important in the simulation and controller designing are obtained.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 91 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2017

Ewa Cichocka

The paper focuses on the evaluation of a light aircraft spin. The main purpose of this paper is to achieve reliable mathematical models of aircraft motion beyond stall conditions…

Abstract

Purpose

The paper focuses on the evaluation of a light aircraft spin. The main purpose of this paper is to achieve reliable mathematical models of aircraft motion beyond stall conditions to subsequently predict spin properties based on calculation only. Another vitally significant objective is to verify whether the aerodynamic characteristics determined numerically are coherent with the wind tunnel measurements performed on the dynamically scaled aircraft models.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis was carried out for two certified conventional light aircraft. The first part of the investigation is devoted to the verification of the simplified methods used to identify the aircraft recoverability from spinning steady-state turns and estimate the primary post-stall flight parameters. Then, the spin simulations were executed. The computational results were thereafter compared with the in-flight data recordings.

Findings

The study confirms the coincidence between the calculated spinning behaviour and the observed aircraft response during the flight tests. The mathematical models of aircraft spatial motion have been found to be credible for predicting spin properties. The simplified methods are reliable to determine the basic spin performance of light aircraft at the preliminary design stage, whereas the spin simulations enable recognition and comprehensive examination of all spin modes.

Practical implications

The outcomes of conducted calculation and comparisons of computational spin properties with flight test recordings have indicated that the qualitative assessment of spinning motion is enabled at each stage of the designing process.

Originality/value

The paper involves the comparison of the computational results with the recordings of spin in-flight tests and the correlation between calculated and experimentally obtained aerodynamics of light aircraft.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 89 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 July 2020

Bilal Malik, Jehanzeb Masud and Suhail Akhtar

This paper aims to present a literature review on analytical research on the prediction of aircraft spin and recovery characteristics, as it progressed from the early years of…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present a literature review on analytical research on the prediction of aircraft spin and recovery characteristics, as it progressed from the early years of aviation to current state of the art spin technologies.

Design/methodology/approach

Aerodynamic model development approaches that have been generally used in past spin studies are presented. Past contributions in application of these analytical techniques to predict spin and recovery characteristics on various fighters, general aviation and airliners are discussed, thus providing useful reference for researchers embarking aircraft spin research. An overview of the development of spin prevention and spin recovery technologies to mitigate stall/spin susceptibility is presented.

Findings

The challenges associated with the presented techniques that prompt possible future research directions are discussed.

Originality/value

Despite considerable progress in the recent years, no comprehensive review on the analytical and computational research techniques to predict aircraft post-stall/ spin characteristics has been undertaken in the recent years.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 92 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 September 2021

Bilal Malik, Jehanzeb Masud and Suhail Akhtar

This paper aims to provide a detailed review of the experimental research on the prediction of aircraft spin and recovery characteristics using dynamically scaled aircraft models.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a detailed review of the experimental research on the prediction of aircraft spin and recovery characteristics using dynamically scaled aircraft models.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper organizes experimental techniques to predict aircraft spin and recovery characteristics into three broad categories: dynamic free-flight tests, dynamic force tests and a relatively novel technique called wind tunnel based virtual flight testing.

Findings

After a thorough review, usefulness, limitations and open problems in the presented techniques are highlighted to provide a useful reference to researchers. The area of application of each technique within the research scope of aircraft spin is also presented.

Originality/value

Previous reviews on the prediction of aircraft spin and recovery characteristics were published many years ago and also have confined scope as they address particular spin technologies. This paper attempts to provide a comprehensive review on the subject and fill the information void regarding the state of the art aircraft spin technologies.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 94 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 13 November 2018

Hongshi Lu, Li Aijun, Wang Changqing and Zabolotnov Michaelovitch Yuriy

This paper aims to present the impact analysis of payload rendezvous with tethered satellite system and the design of an adaptive sliding mode controller which can deal with mass…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the impact analysis of payload rendezvous with tethered satellite system and the design of an adaptive sliding mode controller which can deal with mass parameter uncertainty of targeted payload, so that the proposed cislunar transportation scheme with spinning tether system could be extended to a wider and more practical range.

Design/methodology/approach

In this work, dynamical model is first derived based on Langrangian equations to describe the motion of a spinning tether system in an arbitrary Keplerian orbit, which takes the mass of spacecraft, tether and payload into account. Orbital design and optimal open-loop control for the payload tossed by the spinning tether system are then presented. The real payload rendezvous impact around docking point is also analyzed. Based on reference acceleration trajectory given by optimal theories, a sliding mode controller with saturation functions is designed in the close-loop control of payload tossing stage under initial disturbance caused by actual rendezvous error. To alleviate the influence of inaccurate/unknown payload mass parameters, the adaptive law is designed and integrated into sliding mode controller. Finally, the performance of the proposed controller is evaluated using simulations. Simulation results validate that proposed controller is found effective in driving the spinning tether system to carry payload into desired cislunar transfer orbit and in dealing with payload mass parameter uncertainty in a relatively large range.

Findings

The results show that unideal rendezvous manoeuvres have significant impact on in-plane motion of spinning tether system, and the proposed adaptive sliding mode controller with saturation functions not only guarantees the stability but also provides good performance and robustness against the parameter and unstructured uncertainties.

Originality/value

This work addresses the analysis of actual impact on spinning tether system motion when payload is docking with system within tolerated docking window, rather than at the particular ideal docking point, and the robust tracking control of deep-space payload tossing missions with the spinning tether system using the adaptive sliding mode controller dealing with parameter uncertainties. This combination has not been proposed before for tracking control of multivariable spinning tether systems.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 90 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 8 March 2021

Tomasz Rogalski, Paweł Rzucidło, Stanisław Noga and Jacek Prusik

The purpose of this paper is to present the idea of automatic flight control algorithms capable of performing an Immelmann turn manoeuvre automatically. This is a case of a…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the idea of automatic flight control algorithms capable of performing an Immelmann turn manoeuvre automatically. This is a case of a manoeuvre far removed from so-called standard flight. The character of this manoeuvre and the range of changes in the aircraft flight parameters restrict the application of standard control algorithms. Furthermore, the possibility of acquiring full and detailed information about the aircraft’s flight parameters is limited in such cases. This paper seeks to analyse an alternative solution that can be applied in some specific cases.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses theoretical discussion and breakdowns to create the basics for development of structures of control algorithms. A simplified analytical approach was applied to tune regulators and the results of the research were verified in a series of software-in-the loop computer simulations.

Findings

The structure of the control system enabling aerobatic flight (with the Immelmann turn as the selected example) was identified and the method for tuning the regulators is also presented.

Practical implications

It could serve as a foundation for autopilots working in non-conventional flight states and aircraft automatic recovery systems.

Originality/value

This paper presents the author’s original approach to aircraft automatic control when high control precision is not the priority and not all flight parameters can be precisely measured.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 9
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

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