Structural and CFD analyses of a reciprocating-airfoil (RA) driven UAV wing under maximum lift and inertia forces

Abstract

The reciprocating-airfoil (RA) driven vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is a new aircraft concept that utilizes the reciprocating motion of the wings to provide lift for take-off and landing. The RA wings are shaped like the wings of a fixed-wing airplane and work as fixed wings while cruising. The wing undergoes substantial linear motion during take-off and may generate lift similar to a fixed-wing aircraft. The unique structural characteristics of reciprocating wings are their high inertia and lifting force loadings. This study aims to conduct an internal structural analysis of the wing under the maximum lift and inertia force to validate the wing’s performance. The reciprocating motion of the wing in a stroke was analyzed to determine its maximum speed in the stroke and its inertia force loading in conjunction with a reciprocating driver. A 3D computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis was conducted at the highest angle of attack (AoA) and the determined maximum speed to obtain maximum lift and drag. The results of a finite element analysis (FEA) revealed acceptable stresses, demonstrating a safe load-carrying capacity of the wing structure, which may ensure the suitability of the wing for integration with the RA UAV module.