NASA tests revolutionary shape changing aircraft flap for the first time. - Polidicks

[QUOTE][QUOTE][IMG]http://cdn.phys.org/newman/gfx/news/hires/2014/nasatestsrev.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE] NASA's green aviation project is one step closer to developing technology that could make future airliners quieter and more fuel-efficient with the successful flight test of a wing surface that can change shape in flight. This past summer researchers replaced an airplane's conventional aluminum flaps with advanced, shape-changing assemblies that form seamless bendable and twistable surfaces. Flight testing will determine whether flexible trailing-edge wing flaps are a viable approach to improve aerodynamic efficiency and reduce noise generated during takeoffs and landings. The Adaptive Compliant Trailing Edge (ACTE) project is a joint effort between NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), using flaps designed and built by FlexSys, Inc., of Ann Arbor, Michigan. With AFRL funding through the Air Force's Small Business Innovative Research program, FlexSys developed a variable geometry airfoil system called FlexFoil that can be retrofitted to existing airplane wings or integrated into brand new airframes. Source: [url]http://phys.org/news/2014-11-nasa-revolutionary-aircraft.html[/url][/QUOTE]

Hehe, bendy wings

The cool part is that it can be retrofitted to existing aircraft, would be nice to see these sooner than later.

[IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Fokker-E_III.jpg[/IMG] Wayyyy ahead of you, NASA.

lock S-foils to landing position

So when will we get this in Kerbal Space Program

I remember reading a sci-fi novel around 10 years ago about a secret program that involved unmanned aircraft and wings that changed shape. I wish I remembered the name, but every since I read it I always knew this was gonna be a thing.

[QUOTE=proch;46449656]So when will we get this in Kerbal Space Program[/QUOTE] I'm sure I remember a mod that had variable geometry intakes, but that's intakes not flaps.

[QUOTE=bravehat;46449990]I'm sure I remember a mod that had variable geometry intakes, but that's intakes not flaps.[/QUOTE] Variable geometry intakes are nothing new.

[QUOTE=Riller;46449625][IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Fokker-E_III.jpg[/IMG] Wayyyy ahead of you, NASA.[/QUOTE] Wright brothers had the twist wing design too :|

[QUOTE=Awesomecaek;46449538]Hehe, bendy wings[/QUOTE] Soon we will be flying atop mechanical birds.

[QUOTE=Hollosoulja;46450552]Soon we will be flying atop mechanical birds.[/QUOTE] [url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ornithopter[/url] ??

I don't get it What's the difference here?

[QUOTE=Karmah;46450594]I don't get it What's the difference here?[/QUOTE] Older flap designs have creases between them and the rest of the wing that cause problems with airflow.

[QUOTE=Riller;46449625][IMG]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Fokker-E_III.jpg[/IMG] Wayyyy ahead of you, NASA.[/QUOTE] Wright Flyer flexed its entire wings for roll control. Just throwin' that out there. [editline]9th November 2014[/editline] [QUOTE=proch;46449656]So when will we get this in Kerbal Space Program[/QUOTE] Probably sooner than we see them on real aircraft.

^ the wright brothers used it for pitch and roll control on their airplane, it didn't catch on however since later planes would introduce flaps and control surfaces which are better for...anything the early planes could do

[QUOTE=Oicani Gonzales;46450701]wing twisting is actually really old. iirc it was the most popular method of roll control for a while. and aerolastic wings have been done before, too: [vid]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/9/9c/Active_Aeroelastic_Wing_time_lapse.ogg/Active_Aeroelastic_Wing_time_lapse.ogg.480p.webm[/vid][/QUOTE] I'm guessing there was something that made it not viable for use in commercial airlines?

[QUOTE=Lf751;46450881]I'm guessing there was something that made it not viable for use in commercial airlines?[/QUOTE] My guess is that flaps are more efficient than aeroelastic wings simply due to their superior ability to change the flow of air across the wing, as well as being reliable at high speeds. Whereas these newer aero elastic wings may be comparable to flaps in their ability to change airflow? I haven't looked into it, but it could mean that these are similar to flaps but retain the advantages of flexible wings? (increased aerodynamic efficiency due to less drag, less noise)

[QUOTE=Everybody]Wright brothers!!![/QUOTE] Yeah, I know, but I picked the Fokker E.1 because it's a monoplane, so it looks a bit more 'modern' and recognizable as what we know as planes today, and it got a friggin' tower on top to tether the wings to, to compliment tethering them to the landing gear.

I imagine these new flaps are special because they're stiff, but can be made to bend in a controlled way. Planes like the Wright flier suffered from serious control issues since the wing was flexible enough that the air flow could cause the control surfaces to flex and bend, making controls behave unpredictably. I believe early planes which relied on wing flexing for control suffered issues such as sudden control reversal at high speeds.

But can they do this? [video=youtube;QR0DzGS8Q2c]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR0DzGS8Q2c[/video] 8:29