Technologies & Demonstrators
Technologies & Demonstrators
Technologies & Demonstrators
The SmartX project integrates various technologies for intelligent sensing, actuation and control into demonstrators. These demonstrators step by step increase the technology readiness level of the SmartX technologies and their integration.
SmartX Alpha
The first demonstrator in a long series of envisioned demonstrators is the SmartX Alpha demonstrator. This is a first step where the objectives of the SmartX project were demonstrated in a controlled environment: the TU Delft Open Jet Facility.
The SmartX Alpha wing has the following technologies on board:
- 6 seamlessly morphing trailing edge control surfaces for slow morphing.
- Every slow morphing seamless control surface has piezoelectric tabs for fast morphing.
- Piezoelectric flow quality sensors.
- Fibre optic shape sensors.
- Vision-based displacement sensors.
Videos
More details about the SmartX Alpha wing can be found in these YouTube videos. The first video is a short overview, and the second video offers some more details. Finally, there is also a conference presentation with all the details about the SmartX Alpha wing.
SmartX Neo
The newest member of the the SmartX family is the SmartX Neo. The main improvements with respect to the SmartX Alpha wing are:
- The structure is more lightweight, and hence more flexible. The wing tip displacement is larger than 10% of the span.
- The aerodynamic efficiency is improved by making the wing more slender. The aspect ratio is increased from 7.2 (SmartX Alpha) to 13.6.
- Aeroelastic versus Morphing wing.
- The number of trailing edge flaps is increased from 6 (SmartX Alpha) to 10.
- A typical commercial aircraft material is used for the SmartX Neo: carbon fibre. This in contrast to the glass fibre skin of the SmartX Alpha.
Videos
The wing is currently manufactured, but not yet tested. Some impressions of the manufacturing of the SmartX Neo can be seen in the two videos below. The first video is about the manufacturing and closing of the mould, and the second one covers the demoulding and inspection of the build quality.
