Design of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Mechanisms for Morphing Aircraft Wings

2012 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler ◽  
Andrew P. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Closed Curve ◽  
Morphing Aircraft ◽  
Aircraft Wings ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Prismatic Joints ◽  
Fixed End

This paper presents a procedure to synthesize planar rigid-body mechanisms, containing both prismatic and revolute joints, capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of morphing curves in different positions. The existing mechanization process is extended specifically to enable the design of morphing aircraft wings. A portion of the closed-curve morphing chain that has minimal displacement is identified as the structural ground after the segmentation process. Because of the revolute joints placed at the endpoints of the ground section, the moving links of the fixed-end morphing chain need to be repositioned relative to each of the desired wing shapes so as to minimize the error in approximating them. With the introduction of prismatic joints, a building-block approach is employed to mechanize the fixed-end morphing chain. The blocks are located in an assembly position to generate a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanism. Because of the additional constraints associated with prismatic joints compared to revolute joints, the size of the solution space is reduced, so random searches of the design space to find solution mechanisms are ineffective. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed instead to find a group of viable designs that tradeoff minimizing matching error with maximizing mechanical advantage. The procedure is demonstrated with a synthesis example of a 1-DOF mechanism approximating eight closed-curve wing profiles.

Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Mechanisms With Prismatic Joints

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler ◽  
Andrew P. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Weighted Least Squares ◽  
Solution Space ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Optimization Method ◽  
Basic Block ◽  
Closed Curves ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Prismatic Joints

This paper presents a procedure to synthesize planar rigid-body mechanisms, containing both prismatic and revolute joints, capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of morphing curves in different positions. With the introduction of prismatic joints, the existing mechanization process needs to be revisited via a building-block approach. The basic block is the Assur group of class II, and the auxiliary block is a fourbar mechanism, crank slider or binary link. To approximate shape changes defined by both open and closed curves, a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) mechanism is generated by assembling these building blocks. In the case of a large number of morphing curves, a weighted least squares approach is applied to determine center point locations for revolute joints and sliding paths for prismatic joints in individual building blocks. Then, the building blocks are located in an assembly position to regenerate the morphing chain using a numerical optimization method. Because of the additional constraints associated with prismatic joints compared to revolute joints, the size of the solution space is reduced, so random searches of the design space to find solution mechanisms are ineffective. A genetic algorithm is employed here instead to find a group of viable designs within reasonable computational limits. The procedure is demonstrated with synthesis examples of two 1-DOF mechanisms, one approximating five open-curve profiles and the other four closed-curve profiles.

DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF RIGID-BODY SHAPE-CHANGE MECHANISM FOR AIRCRAFT WINGS

2015 ◽  
Vol 77 (21) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hazrin Ismail ◽  
Shamsul Anuar Shamsudin ◽  
Mohd Nizam Sudin
Keyword(s):  
Shape Change ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Programming Technique ◽  
High Lift ◽  
Airframe Noise ◽  
Aircraft Wings ◽  
Prismatic Joints ◽  
A Chain ◽  
Fixed End

Airframe noise reduction becomes a main interest among researchers who study the performance of aircrafts. The airframe noise can occur between the high-lift systems and main body of the airfoil. The proposed shape-changing airfoil is one of many ideas to reduce airframe noise by eliminating the gap between the main body and high-lift systems. This paper presents a new design of 30P30N airfoil, which converts the three-element airfoil (slat, main body and flap) into two-element airfoil (combination of slat and main body as an element and flap) by installing a shape-changing slat into the systems. This work applies a chain of rigid bodies connected by revolute and prismatic joints that are capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of morphed slat design profiles. To achieve a single degree of freedom (DOF), a building-block approach is employed to mechanize the fixed-end shape-changing chain with the helped of Geometric Constraint Programming technique as an effective method to develop the mechanism. The conventional and shape-change 30P30N airfoils are compared to study the performances of airfoils with the velocity and angle of attack are constant.

scholarly journals Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid Body Mechanisms for Design Profiles With Significant Differences in Arc Length

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamsul A. Shamsudin ◽  
Andrew P. Murray ◽  
David H. Myszka ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Arc Length ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Planar Mechanisms ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Prismatic Joints ◽  
Plane Shape ◽  
A Chain

This paper presents a kinematic procedure to synthesize planar mechanisms capable of approximating a shape change defined by a general set of curves. These “morphing curves”, referred to as design profiles, differ from each other by a combination of displacement in the plane, shape variation, and notable differences in arc length. Where previous rigid-body shape-change work focused on mechanisms composed of rigid links and revolute joints to approximate curves of roughly equal arc length, this work introduces prismatic joints into the mechanisms in order to produce the different desired arc lengths. A method is presented to inspect and compare the profiles so that the regions are best suited for prismatic joints can be identified. The result of this methodology is the creation of a chain of rigid bodies connected by revolute and prismatic joints that can approximate a set of design profiles.

Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Compliant Mechanisms Using Pseudo-Rigid-Body Models

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler ◽  
Andrew P. Murray
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Shape Matching ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Flexible Beam ◽  
Beam Model ◽  
Flexible Beams ◽  
Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Optimization Loop

This paper presents a procedure using Pseudo-Rigid-Body Models (PRBMs) to synthesize partially compliant mechanisms capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of morphing curves in different positions. To generate a single-piece compliant mechanism, flexural pivots and flexible beams are both utilized in the mechanism. New topologies defined by compliant mechanism matrices are enumerated by modifying the components that make up a single degree-of-freedom (DOF) rigid-body mechanism. Because of the introduction of the PRBM for flexural pivots and the simplified PRBM for flexible beams, torsional springs are attached at the characteristic pivots of the 1-DOF rigid-body mechanism in order to generate a corresponding pseudo-rigid-body mechanism. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to find a group of viable compliant mechanisms in the form of candidate pseudo-rigid-body mechanisms that tradeoff minimizing shape matching error with minimizing actuator energy. Since the simplified beam model is not accurate, an optimization loop is established to find the position and shape of the flexible beam using a finite link beam model. The optimal flexible beams together with the pseudo-rigid-body mechanism define the solution mechanism. The procedure is demonstrated with an example in which a partially compliant mechanism approximating two closed-curve profiles is synthesized.

Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Mechanisms

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian M. Korte ◽  
Andrew P. Murray ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Piecewise Linear ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Open Chain ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Planar Shape ◽  
Rigid Body Displacement ◽  
Planar Linkages

This paper presents a procedure to synthesize planar linkages, composed of rigid links and revolute joints, capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of curves. These “morphing curves” differ from each other by a combination of rigid-body displacement and shape change. Rigid link geometry is determined through analysis of piecewise linear curves to achieve shape-change approximation, and increasing the number of links improves the approximation. A mechanism is determined through connecting the rigid links into a single chain and adding dyads to eliminate degrees of freedom. The procedure is applied to two open-chain examples.

Using Rigid-Body Mechanism Topologies to Design Shape-Changing Compliant Mechanisms

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Zhao ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Compliant Mechanisms ◽  
Compliant Mechanism ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Adaptive Antenna ◽  
Dimensional Synthesis ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Initial Element ◽  
Multi Objective Genetic Algorithm ◽  
Improved Design

This paper uses rigid-body mechanism topologies to synthesize distributed compliant mechanisms that approximate a shape change defined by a set of morphing curves in different positions. A single-actuator compliant mechanism is synthesized from a single degree-of-freedom rigid-body mechanism’s base topology in one of two ways. In one case, the base topology is directly evaluated through dimensional synthesis to determine the compliant mechanism’s optimal dimensions. In the second, the base topology establishes an initial element network for an optimization routine that determines topologies and dimensions simultaneously, and an improved design domain parameterization scheme ensures that only topologies with well-connected structures are evaluated. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is employed to search the design space, and the deformation is evaluated using geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis. The procedure’s utility is demonstrated with two practical examples — one approximating open-curve profiles of an adaptive antenna and the other closed-curve profiles of a morphing wing.

Kinematic Synthesis of Planar, Shape-Changing Rigid-Body Mechanisms

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew P. Murray ◽  
James P. Schmiedeler ◽  
Brian M. Korte
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Shape Change ◽  
Piecewise Linear ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Planar Mechanisms ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Planar Shape ◽  
Rigid Body Displacement ◽  
Shape Changes

This paper presents a kinematic procedure to synthesize planar mechanisms, composed of rigid links and revolute joints, capable of approximating a shape change defined by a set of curves. These “morphing curves”, referred to as design profiles, differ from each other by a combination of rigid-body displacement and shape change. Design profiles are converted to piecewise linear curves, referred to as target profiles, that can be readily manipulated. In the segmentation phase, the geometry of rigid links that approximate the shapes of corresponding segments from each target profile is determined. In the mechanization phase, these rigid links are joined together at their end points with revolute joints to form a single chain. Dyads are then added to reduce the number of degrees of freedom (DOF’s) to any desired value, typically 1. The approach can be applied to any number of design profiles that can be approximated with any number of rigid links, which can then be used to construct a mechanism with any number of DOF’s. Naturally, greater difficulty is encountered for larger numbers of design profiles and/or links and for more dramatic changes in shape. The procedure is demonstrated with examples of single-DOF mechanisms approximating shape changes between two and three design profiles.

Singularity Traces of Planar Linkages That Include Prismatic and Revolute Joints

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saleh M. Almestiri ◽  
David H. Myszka ◽  
Andrew P. Murray ◽  
Charles W. Wampler
Keyword(s):  
Shape Change ◽  
Rigid Bodies ◽  
Closed Curves ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Prismatic Joints ◽  
Kinematic Position ◽  
Motion Characteristics ◽  
Forward Kinematic ◽  
Planar Linkages ◽  
General Method

This paper presents a general method to construct a singularity trace for single degree-of-freedom, closed-loop linkages that include prismatic, in addition to, revolute joints. The singularity trace has been introduced in the literature as a plot that reveals the gross motion characteristics of a linkage relative to a designated input joint and design parameter. Previously, singularity traces were restricted to mechanisms composed of only rigid bodies and revolute joints. The motion characteristics identified on the plot include changes in the number of solutions to the forward kinematic position analysis (geometric inversions), singularities, and changes in the number of branches. To illustrate the adaptation of the general method to include prismatic joints, basic slider-crank and inverted slider-crank linkages are explored. Singularity traces are then constructed for more complex Assur IV/3 linkages containing multiple prismatic joints. These Assur linkages are of interest as they form an architecture that is commonly used for mechanisms capable of approximating a shape change defined by a general set of closed curves.

A planar reconfigurable linear rigid-body motion linkage with two operation modes

2014 ◽  
Vol 228 (16) ◽  
pp. 2985-2991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangbo Hao ◽  
Xianwen Kong ◽  
Xiuyun He
Keyword(s):  
Rigid Body ◽  
Single Mode ◽  
Rigid Body Motion ◽  
Body Motion ◽  
Reference Guide ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Operation Modes ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
Motion Stage ◽  
Motion Mode

A planar reconfigurable linear (also rectilinear) rigid-body motion linkage (RLRBML) with two operation modes, that is, linear rigid-body motion mode and lockup mode, is presented using only R (revolute) joints. The RLRBML does not require disassembly and external intervention to implement multi-task requirements. It is created via combining a Robert’s linkage and a double parallelogram linkage (with equal lengths of rocker links) arranged in parallel, which can convert a limited circular motion to a linear rigid-body motion without any reference guide way. This linear rigid-body motion is achieved since the double parallelogram linkage can guarantee the translation of the motion stage, and Robert’s linkage ensures the approximate straight line motion of its pivot joint connecting to the double parallelogram linkage. This novel RLRBML is under the linear rigid-body motion mode if the four rocker links in the double parallelogram linkage are not parallel. The motion stage is in the lockup mode if all of the four rocker links in the double parallelogram linkage are kept parallel in a tilted position (but the inner/outer two rocker links are still parallel). In the lockup mode, the motion stage of the RLRBML is prohibited from moving even under power off, but the double parallelogram linkage is still moveable for its own rotation application. It is noted that further RLRBMLs can be obtained from the above RLRBML by replacing Robert’s linkage with any other straight line motion linkage (such as Watt’s linkage). Additionally, a compact RLRBML and two single-mode linear rigid-body motion linkages are presented.

A non-overconstrained variant of the Agile Eye with a special decoupled kinematics

Robotica ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. 889-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chin-Hsing Kuo ◽  
Jian S. Dai ◽  
Giovanni Legnani
Keyword(s):  
Angular Displacement ◽  
Universal Joint ◽  
Special Configuration ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Revolute Joint ◽  
Revolute Joints ◽  
Prismatic Joints ◽  
Decoupled Motion ◽  
Orientation Mechanism ◽  
Actuated Joints

SUMMARYA non-overconstrained three-DOF parallel orientation mechanism that is kinematically equivalent to the Agile Eye is presented in this paper. The output link (end-effector) of the mechanism is connected to the base by one spherical joint and by another three identical legs. Each leg comprises of, in turns from base, a revolute joint, a universal joint, and three prismatic joints. The three lower revolute joints are active joints, while all other joints are passive ones. Based on a special configuration, some three projective angles of the end-effector coordinates are fully decoupled with respect to the input actuated joints, that is, by actuating any revolute joint the end-effector rotates in such a way that the corresponding projective angle changes with the same angular displacement. The fully decoupled motion is analyzed geometrically and proved theoretically. Besides, the inverse and direct kinematics solutions of the mechanism are provided based on the geometric reasoning and theoretical proof.

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