Smart trailing edge device for flutter control

The design for a smart trailing edge device with piezoelectric actuators is discussed here. Piezoelectric actuators are bonded with metal blocks to transform the linear displacement of the actuator into angular displacement. The piezo electric actuator used is a set of PZT stacks bonded together. The d33 effect is used to get the displacement. The design of the blocks with the parametric studies, the number of piezo actuators required and the specifics of the mechanism are discussed here. An analogy is used in ANSYS between the piezo electric deflection and thermal deflection. This is done to verify that this design produces a large enough deflection to suppress flutter. Method of calibration of the actuator is also discussed in this thesis. Aeroloads are added to the ANSYS model and the iteration is done till convergence in achieved and a final equilibrium position of the trailing edge is achieved.