Multi-fidelity Aerodynamic Design Process for Moveables at DLR Virtual Product House

Abstract

The process hereafter presented will focus on the initial DLR Virtual Product House use case, a high lift configuration, in regard to aerodynamic and systems design. The goal of the use case is to achieve a new movable layout and geometry by replacing an existing and already certified component with a new design. In the scope of this work, as the first step of this overall design process, an integrated process for the design and optimization of trailing edge device geometries on a mid-range aircraft is built up and applied. Based upon an existing parametric aircraft model, the existing flap geometry is replaced with an adaptive dropped hinge flap design. Kinematic design, synthesis and assessment of the new trailing edge devices is performed and evaluated. The resulting optimal geometry is returned to the parametric model and can be directly used for further design steps. Key aspects of this approach are its use of low-fidelity tools for an geometric optimization and its subsequent automatic validation with high-fidelity methods. Focus of this paper is to present a multi-fidelity aerodynamic design methodology for trailing edge movables that is applicable for movable design studies on existing aircraft designs as well as for the preliminary aircraft design process in general.