Adaptive compliant trailing edge
An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion, which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) is a shape-changing flap for aircraft wings, intended to reduce an aircraft's fuel costs and reduce noise during take-off and landing. First airborne tests have been conducted in late 2014 by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
History
The ACTE was invented by Sridhar Kota, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan. Kota initially submitted his designs for an aircraft flexible wing to the U.S Air Force in the mid 1990's. The concept was officially developed by FlexSys Inc., a company founded by Kota in 2000. FlexSys received US$40 million in financial assistance from the Air Force's small business innovative research program, and the concept was successfully tested on 7 November 2014 with the involvement of NASA and the U.S Air Force Research Laboratory.[1][2][3][4]
Consumption control
The Flexible flap or FlexFoil, a modern interpretation of wing warping, is a sub group of airfoil technology. It is an efficient and more operational upgrade from hinged wing flaps (which folds out from under the wing's trailing edge), globally accepted by aircraft designers. According to FlexSys the technology helps in fuel savings of 4% to 12% and noise reduction during takeoff and landing by up to 40%.[5][6]
See also
References
- ^ Nikhila, Henry (6 December 2014). "Osmania University man's 'wing' takes aerodynamics to new heights". Times of India. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "NASA Tests Revolutionary Shape Changing Aircraft Flap for the First Time". NASA. 7 November 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "NASA eyes revolutionary aircraft wing technology". Fox News. 10 November 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Sridhar Kota". University of Michigan. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
- ^ "FlexSys's wing flaps promise to save fuel". Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ^ "Kota's FlexFoil Technology Gains Recognition". Retrieved 14 December 2014.