Product Design Specifications and Simulation Techniques: Wingtip Sensor

Tony Vinyard
CONTENTS
Contents................................................................................................................ 2

2. Introduction....................................................................................................... 2

3. Building the Model.............................................................................................3

3.1 Calculating the Bending Moment on the Wing..............................................4

3.2 Modelling Forces on the Wing.......................................................................4

3.2.1 Elasticity of the wing..............................................................................4

3.2.2 Rigidity to Damping ...............................................................................5

3.2.3 Mass....................................................................................................... 5

3.3 Developing the Formula ..............................................................................5

4. Calculating Forces Acting Upon Wing................................................................8

Appendix (i) Works Cited.......................................................................................9

1. Abstract

This report has been produced to specify a sensor for location on the extremity
of an aircraft wing. In the consideration of a sensor it was required to derive the
dynamic system transfer function and develop a dynamic system model related
to the stresses along the wing during “flutter”1

2. INTRODUCTION
A civilian passenger air craft flies at 30,000ft and it is required that a sensor be
placed on the extremity of the wing tip to monitor dynamic mechanical
frequencies for the purpose of modeling mechanical creep and the resulting
stress upon rivet sections along the wing. See fig 2.1 below.

The wing tip is not to experience liner forced frequencies of more than 1200Hz in
either x-y-z directions.

The aim of this report is to derive the dynamic system transfer function and
explain why this is required during the design stages of the system. The report
also aims to explain how the transfer function can be used by a designer to aid
the development of the dynamic system model related to the vibration stress
induced along the wing during “flutter”
1
Flutter is a dynamic aero elastic phenomenon that involves the interactions of elastic
and inertia forces of the structure with the aerodynamic forces produced by the airflow
over the vehicle. [1]

[2]
 Cockp
it
Sensor location

Fig 2.1: Showing Location of vibration sensor

3. BUILDING THE MODEL

First we need to establish the forces that will be acting upon the wing.

Y axis

+
y

X
xY xy xY
0 1
xY xY axis
2 3 x
4
Y5 Xma Ym
x
X0 X1 X2 X3 X4 X5 x ax

-y

Fig 3.1: Theoretical deflection shown on the wing.

Factors that need to be taken into account when calculating the forces acting
upon the wing:

Mass of the wing. The mass of the wing can be denoted as a function of x
therefore; Yx=M=f(x) where; x=deflection of the wing.

Time to calculate the forces acting upon the wing there will be a time period that
needs to be taken into account; this can be denoted as a function therefore;
Yx=f(t) where; t = time

Frequency the frequency of the forces acting upon the wing whilst in flight can
be denoted as a function of a sinusoidal wave therefore; Yx=f(sin)

Damping forces acting on the wing can be denoted as an exponential function

therefore; Yx=f(exp)

[3]
3.1 Calculating the Bending Moment on the Wing
The moment of resistance in a beam is the moment about the neutral axis 2 of
the internal forces resisting the applied bending moment. For equilibrium, the
internal moment of resistance must be equal and opposite to the applied
bending moment.

M xx E σ
= = [2]
I xx R y

Ixx is the second moment of area Units (m4)

where;

y= distance from the neautral axis of the wing,

R = radius of curvature (deflection of the wing) (units meters)

σ stress
E= = young’s modulus of elasticity
ε strain

3.2 Modelling Forces on the Wing

To model the forces on the wing tip we will need to know:

• Elasticity of the wing

• Rigidity to damping

• Mass or inertia properties

3.2.1 Elasticity of the wing

F=
W

2
The neutral axis is an axis in the cross section of a beam or shaft along which there
are no longitudinal stresses or strains

[4]
Fig3.2 Physical model for forces on a spring.

The equation F=ma is the equation of a body of mass (m) or weight (W) acted
upon by a force F. This equation can be derived directly from Newton’s second
law. The second law states that the applied force is proportional to the rate of
change of momentum. [2]

Studies of material behavior made by Robert Hooke in 1678 showed that up to a

certain limit the extension δ of a bar subjected to axial tensile loading F was
often directly proportional to F, This behavior in which δ ∝ F is known as
Hooke’s Law. [3]

3.2.2 Rigidity to Damping

The damping forces acting on the wing are classed as a second order response.

This response has two basic components, an exponential growth curve and a
damped oscillation. The oscillatory component can be reduced or eliminated) by
artificially slowing down the response of the system. This is known as ‘damping’.
The optimum value of damping is that which prevents overshoot. When a
system is underdamped, some over shoot is still present. Conversely, an
overdamped system may take a significantly greater time to respond to a
sudden change in input. [4]

F = CV

F
C=
V

3.2.3 Mass
From Newton’s Second Law F= ma.

3.3 Developing the Formula

The following model shows the forces discussed above acting on the wing tip so
that we can start to derive the transfer function model.

Fd Fs
-ve
m y

F
+ve

Fig 3.3 Forces acting upon the wing tip

Where; m = mass

Fs=Spring constant

[5]
 Fd=Damping Forces

y=Deflection from point Xo (origin)

Apply Newton’s third law to the system so that the forces can be shown as an
equation.

Newton’s Third Law is stated as: for every force, there is an equal and opposite
reacting force.

This can be stated as:

[4]

Therefore in relation to the forces acting on the wing tip:

Therefore;

But:

Therefore; EQUATION “A”

Equation “A” shows the forces acting upon the wing.

Now the formula can be developed to take in account the velocity and
acceleration functions so that the equation can be given a time period in which
the analysis can take place. So; write a and c as f(x):

dx
v = velocity = the differentiation of displacement with respect to time.
dt

d 2x
a = acceleration = the second derivative of velocity
dt 2

d 2x dx
Therefore: F = m 2
+c + kx EQUATION “B”
dt dt

Equation “B” can be developed so that the simple harmonic motion and damped
harmonic motion can be taken into account.

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION =

k k
ωn = ; therefore m =
ωn
2
m

DAMPED HARMONIC MOTION (DHM) c = 2ξ mk

[6]
Divide Equation “B” by the mass (m)

F d 2 x c dx k
Therefore: = + + x
m dt 2 m dt m

Now substitute values for m and c to give:

k
2ξ k
ωn
2
F d 2x dx k
= + + x
m dt 2 k dt k
ωn ωn
2 2

This equation can be simplified:

F d 2x dx
= 2 + 2ξ ωn + ωn x
2

m dt dt

k
But m =
ωn
2

ω
2
F 1 1
= F= F= n F
So; m m k k
ωn
2

1 ωn
2
Let; = =K
m k

ω
2
So; n F = KF
k

d 2x dx
+ 2ξ ωn + ωn x
2
Therefore: KF = 2
EQUATION “C”
dt dt

“C” is the full system dynamic at any time (t)

Equation “C” can now be written in terms of system transfer function using
operator d-notation

Laplace transforms provide a method for representing and analyzing linear

systems using algebraic methods. In systems that begin undeflected and at rest
the Laplace’s’ can directly replace the d/dt operator in differential equations. It is
a superset of the phasor representation in that it has both a complex part, for
the steady state response, but also a real part, representing the transient part.
As with the other representations the Laplace s is related to the rate of change
in the system.[5]

[7]
 d2 d
Let D 2 = ; D=
dt 2 dt

Therefore Equation “C” now becomes:

2
KF = D 2 x + 2ξ ω
n Dx + ω n x

This can now be factorized so that it can be given in terms of x

Therefore: (
K F = x D 2 + 2ξ nωD + ω n
2
)
F K
= 2
(
x D + 2ξ ω
nD + ωn
2
) EQUATION “D”

Equation “D” is the system dynamic transfer function representing C showing the
equation as a

Where F(force)=θo output ; X(displacement)= θi input

4. CALCULATING FORCES ACTING UPON WING

To calculate the forces acting upon the wing we need to determine a figure for
ωn. We can calculate this figure by setting the forces acting upon the wing at xo
i.e. 0 deflection.

ζ = 0.7 this is the figure given to the optimum second order response

t = 1 second.

x = deflection (m)

d 2x dx
+ 2ξ ωn + ωn x
2
KF = 2
dt dt

d 2x dx
+ 2(0.7)ωn + ωn (0)
2
Therefore; 0 = 2
dt dt

From this we can calculate the figures for the unknowns and input them in to the
equation so that this information can be used to select the transducer needed.

[8]
APPENDIX (I) WORKS CITED
[1]. Chambers, Joseph R. Concept to Reality : Contributions of the Langley
Research Center to U.S. Civil Aircraft (NASA SP-2003-4529). Yorktown, VA : NASA,
2002.

[2]. Hannah, J. and Hillier, M. J. Applied Mechanics:Third Edition. Harlow :

Longman, 1995. ISBN/0-582-25632-1

[3]. Benham, P. P. and R.J.Crawford. Mechanics of Engineering Materials.

Harlow : Longman, 1987. ISBN/0-582-28640-9

[4]. Bird, John. Science for Enginnering: Third Edition. Oxford : Newnes, 2003.
ISBN/0-7506-5777-4

[5]. Jack, Dr. Hugh. claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu. GVSU: School of Engineering.

[Online] January 05, 2005. [Cited: December 03, 2009.]
http://claymore.engineer.gvsu.edu/~jackh/books/model/chapters/laplace.pdf.

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