Reactive Flow Control System Using Intelligent Control Modules for Virtual Aerodynamic Shaping

"Orbital Research proposes to develop a multi-input, multi-output, closed-loop Reactive Flow Control System (RFCS) consisting of intelligent control modules designed to be integrated with flight vehicle airframes which incorporate integrated flow controlsensors, actuators and feedback controller. RFCS will enable virtual aerodynamic shaping over a range of flight conditions and vehicle orientations via control of incipient flow separation and reattachment using distributed arrays of MicroelectromechanicalSystems (MEMS) based sensors and flow control actuators over the surface. Orbital Research Inc. and its collaborating team will utilize both computational (CFD) and experimental tools for a range of flow conditions typical of an operational flightenvelope. Dynamic wind tunnel experiments will then be performed during phase I to demonstrate the response of the feedback system to dynamically changing aerodynamic effects. Potential applications of the proposed RFCS include providing complete controlof air vehicles in place of conventional hinged flight-control surfaces like leading edge slats and trailing edge flaps. Further, the RFCS will provide active control of unconventional air vehicles to artificially maintain a desired level of aerodynamicefficiency, enabling greater flexibility in air vehicle designs, allowing recovery from departure due to component failure or vehicle damage, and active drag reduction. This active flow cont