Embedded Aircraft Design Geometry in Multidisciplinary Design Optimization Frameworks

Open Vehicle Sketch Pad (OpenVSP) is a 3D parametric geometry tool that has been evolving for nearly thirty years. It has been designed for use in MDAO frameworks and for design space exploration. OpenVSP’s development continues and the topic of this proposal is itself evidence that OpenVSP does not meet all of the evolving needs of MEAD engineers and likely other engineers. Fortunately, OpenVSP has a flexible design amenable to any required improvements—eliminating the need for a “Start Over” project. Building on OpenVSP leverages decades of conceptual design 3D modeling experience and connections to myriad engineering analysis tools and design frameworks.  The N221-004 topic solicited a geometry tool with a number of design features and the ability to integrate with MDAO frameworks. Our choice to build on OpenVSP for our solution means that some of these capabilities are intrinsically satisfied by OpenVSP’s existing capabilities – while other capabilities provided a great foundation to build upon. The Phase I effort did much to close the capability gaps. The OpenVSP + Phase I effort demonstrated an OpenVSP GUI working simultaneously with a Python GUI application on Windows, MacOS, and Linux. It also demonstrated an OpenVSP GUI working simultaneously with the ADAPT GUI and separately with the AIDEN GUI. The OpenVSP + Phase I effort achieves at least a proof-of-concept capability for every capability mentioned in the solicitation.  In Phase II, the proof-of-concept capabilities developed in Phase I will continue to be developed, tested, and documented until they become distribution-ready. Two sets of additional features will be developed during Phase II. The first set will include (1) improved handling of broken links, (2) improved UX and API for Linking and Advanced Linking. The second feature set will include (1) three-point angle probing, (2) the ability to associate data with geometries, (3) the ability to define control surfaces by linear span fraction, (4) the ability to add notes to a model, (5) user settings including an option to use the native operating system’s file dialog. These new capabilities will be distributed using the regular distribution process for OpenVSP.