Joint extension speed dictates bio-inspired morphing trajectories for optimal longitudinal flight dynamics

Avian wing morphing allows dynamic, active control of complex flight manoeuvres. Previous linear time-invariant (LTI) models have quantified the effect of varying fixed wing configurations but the time-dependent effects of morphing between different configurations is not well understood. To fill this gap, I implemented a linear parameter-varying (LPV) model for morphing wing gull flight. This approach models the wing joint angles as scheduled parameters and accounts for nonlinear kinematic and gravitational effects while interpolating between LTI models at discrete trim points. With the resulting model, I investigated the longitudinal response associated with various joint extension trajectories. By optimizing the extension trajectory for four independent objectives (speed and pitch angle overshoot, speed rise time and pitch angle settling time), I found that the extension trajectory inherent to the gull wing does not guarantee an optimal response but may provide a sufficient response with a simpler mechanical implementation. Furthermore, the results indicated that gulls likely require extension speed feedback. This morphing LPV model provides insights into underlying control mechanisms, which may allow for avian-like flight in future highly manoeuvrable uncrewed aerial vehicles.

• Publication year

  2024

• Venue

  Journal of the Royal Society Interface

• Publication date

  2024-04-01

• Fields of study

  Biology, Medicine, Engineering

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1098/rsif.2023.0734PMID 38654630PMCID 11040252
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

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