Aeroelasticity and Aeroservoelastic Control

In Phase I, the proposed formulation for an overset, multiblock code based on the unsteady transonic small disturbance equations was shown to be an improvement to the methods typically used during the design phase of flexible flight vehicles by maintaining robustness, accuracy, and computational efficiency while providing solutions to the subsonic, transonic, and supersonic regimes. Work in Phase II will prepare the code for commercialization by expanding its capabilities and use cases and further validating the formulation with a variety of demonstrations that are meaningful to both the NASA and commercial communities. The expanded capabilities will include (1) further development of the code in the supersonic regime, (2) integration with static and dynamic loads, trim, and flutter solutions, (3) and generation of aerodynamic reduced order models for aeroservoelastic analysis and design. A direct plug-in for NASTRAN will be developed, automating grid generation from existing NASTRAN models, and direct integration into NASTRAN’s analysis and optimization solutions. Models being considered for demonstration include the F5 fighter wing, the AGARD 445.6 wing, and the KTH-NASA generic fighter aeroelastic wind-tunnel model.

Potential NASA applications will include the use of the developed technology for design of any new generation aircraft or RLV system including complex and novel configurations such as blended wing-bodies, truss-braced wing configurations, low-boom supersonic configurations, etc. Additionally, the aeroelasticity branch at LaRC will be prime candidates for using this technology and capability.

This technology is expected to have commercial applications to aircraft design of bombers, fighters, UAV’s, and general aviation airplanes and specifically those operating in the high-subsonic and low-supersonic regimes. As such, it is expected to have significant commercial applications in airplane structural design, control system design, and aeroservoelastic analyses.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.