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NASA has tested a new shape-shifting wing technology, which integrates the control surfaces into the wing itself.
NASA's green aviation project is one step closer to developing technology that could make future airliners quieter and more fuel-efficient with the successful flight test of a wing surface that can change shape in flight. This past summer researchers replaced an airplane’s conventional aluminum flaps with advanced, shape-changing assemblies that form seamless bendable and twistable surfaces.
Basically, instead of the normal, segmented control surfaces we're all used to, this is a long twistable surface. The downside is difficult engineering and production cost. The upside is less space taken up (more fuel in the wing) and improved aerodynamics. The aerodynamic gains lead to less cost and is better for the environment (if that's your kind of thing).
I found a YouTube Promotional video from the company actually producing the wings. I'd love to see a video of the actual tests if anyone can find one.
(Score: 2) by janrinok on Thursday April 30 2015, @01:43PM
(Score: 2) by frojack on Thursday April 30 2015, @06:24PM
On top of that, there's little to suggest any significant savings in fuel efficiency.
The overwhelming majority of flight hours are spent with flaps retracted (smooth wing). There is very little to suggest any improvement in that flight segment.
A two hour flight might have a 5-10 minute take off and climb. Flaps are SLIGHTLY deployed [boeing.com] through much of this period, and its the most costly segment of the flight.
Descents, approach and landing usually take 30 minutes, with flaps are deployed, but this is a low fuel burn flight segment, anyway.
So any expected fuel efficiency will only happen because of a smoother wing on take off.
However, That may not be the point, since the article suggests that the gains of in-wing tank space to carry more fuel is a key feature. I don't doubt this, because if you look at the amount of moving segments involved when flaps are extended for landing, its easy to see there are a boat load of metal and hydraulics involved. The wing is not only made longer, but also curved as a result. You are going to have to accomplish the same thing with these new designs. And it takes some pretty large areas, with high drag to fully deploy flaps. There is no free lunch.
No, you are mistaken. I've always had this sig.
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Friday May 01 2015, @01:27AM
Perhaps I'm missing something, but looking at the photos I suspect that these flexible "flaps" are in fact replacing not only the traditional flaps, but also the ailerons which ARE in use constantly for steering and whose rigid seams will cause some unavoidable measure of efficiency-robbing turbulence. At least there doesn't appear appear to be any discretely separable portion of the wing with which to control roll.