Direct Search Optimization of a Flapping Micro Air Vehicle Wing

Abstract

Joint Staff J7, Suffolk, VAThis research addresses the optimization of an engineered flapping micro air vehicle wing. The engineered wing was developed using a finite element model of a Manduca Sexta forewing. A full factorial design was used to determine a representative model of the natural system. From this baseline wing, a constrained response surface was coupled with a Latin hypercube of the design space. Results from this provide an initial vector for a mesh adaptive direct search algorithm. Further investigation of the design space was carried out using a blind search approach. Initial results demonstrate significant reduction in mass, while maintaining features which are representative of the biological wing. A test article based on the optimized design will be fabricated and tested.