Date of Award:

5-2023

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Committee Chair(s)

Douglas F. Hunsaker

Committee

Douglas F. Hunsaker

Committee

James Joo

Committee

Tianye He

Committee

Matthew Harris

Committee

Stephen Whitmore

Abstract

This dissertation presents an analysis of the aerodynamics for an aircraft using a novel, bio-inspired control system. The control system is a rotating tail, that is inspired by the way in which birds use their tail to control their flight. An aerodynamic model for a baseline aircraft and a bio-inspired variant are created by referencing well-known relationships for the aerodynamics of flight, which are then used to analyze the available flight envelope at which each aircraft can reach two different equilibrium states. An analysis of the total aerodynamic control authority of each aircraft is also included along with a preliminary control system to bring the aircraft back to equilibrium when influenced by a wind gust. These studies indicate some of the benefits and trade-offs of using this bio-inspired rotating tail design.

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