The Moving Mass Glider

Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Faculty Mentor: Professor Kenneth D. Mease

Graduate Student: Kamil Samaan

Presentation by: Silvestre Pineda

Presentation Outline

• Introduction

–Research Question

–Past Research

–Objectives

• Method

–Materials

–Procedure

• Results

– Findings

• Discussion

– Importance

• Questions

Is controlling a flight vehicle using a moving mass feasible and if so, what are the important

design features? • Past Work

– Jets and their ability to turn sharp corners in the air • Possible due to its fuel being moved to cause instability

• With less stability there is more maneuverability

• Objectives – To demonstrate and improve understanding of moving mass

control of flight using a small-scale R/C airplane

– Using same theory only applied in a different manner • Changing the center of gravity to cause instability as before, but instead of

using liquid we would use solid masses

Thinking Process • Design

– Moving mass • Will consist of propulsion batteries and will be removable/adjustable

• Position will be determined using voltage measurement

– The Plane • Will have the ability to alter its center of gravity

• Will have higher stability on takeoff and landing

• Will reduce stability on turns to maximize maneuverability

• SolidWorks modeling – Create a model of the glider without winglets

– Get measurements of the wing

– Understand where the cuts will be made to insert the moving mass

– Make models of the winglets and motor mount

– Assemble the parts on the program to see how it will come out

What you need • Materials

– Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) Machine

– Low density foam

– Fiber Glass

– Carbon Fiber

– Mylar

– Wax Paper

– 77 Spray Adhesive

– Epoxy

– Bagging Material

Let’s Begin Working On It! • Wing Procedure

– Cut and clean measured pieces of Mylar and wax paper

– Spray 77 adhesive on wax paper and stick it onto the fiber glass

– Cut piece and wet it with epoxy

– Create a bag

– Cover foam with wet fiber glass

– Cover the fiber glass with Mylar and insert into pressurized bag

Let’s Begin Working On It!

• Motor Mount Procedure – Same as wing procedure, but

using carbon fiber

• Winglet Procedure – Same as wing procedure

Bring It All Together • Wing Procedure after drying process

– Cut wing to desired shape

– Cut out holes for moving mass structure and motor mount

– Add control surface

• Motor Mount Procedure after drying process – File motor mount to desired shape

– Drill holes for attachment

– Epoxy and screw it onto glider

• Winglets Procedure after drying process – Sand until aligned with the main wing

– Add control surface and servo

– Epoxy it onto the main wing

Bring It All Together Wing after drying process

Motor Mount after drying process

Winglet after drying process

Results • Thus far we have created a R/C plane that can controllably

fly

• It has a space for the moving mass structure to be inserted

• Have a design for the moving mass structure and have begun building it

Importance?

• Goals of the research – Make aircrafts more stable during take-off and landing

– Increase aircraft maneuverability

• Real life applications – A flying object designed to fly like a bird for stealth

missions

– When airplanes enter a downward spiral, altering the center of gravity would allow them to gain control

– Having the ability to turn on short notices while flying

– Makes plane smoother, which decreases drag

Questions?