Bleed-Air Actuation for Lateral and Longitudinal Control of Single-Surface Parafoils
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Ward, Donald Jeffrey
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Abstract
This dissertation examines the integration and control authority of bleed-air actuation in single-surface parafoils. The bleed-air spoiling mechanism provides powerful aerodynamic control on ram-air canopy systems, generating substantial lateral and longitudinal control authority while offering significant size, weight, and power (SWaP) advantages. The research employs experimental flight testing to enable comprehensive characterization of bleed-air control systems on single-surface canopies. The study demonstrates that controllable bleed-air actuators can effectively provide autonomous guidance capabilities for single-surface parafoils, offering a novel alternative to traditional trailing edge control methods that suffer from limited glide slope modulation and increased actuation forces. Control authority and bandwidth characteristics of bleed-air actuated single-surface parafoils are investigated alongside examinations of design challenges such as sealing mechanisms and actuator placement optimization in low pressure-differential environments. Further, the research explores how bleed-air actuation requires 80% less actuation force compared to trailing edge deflection systems while maintaining sufficient control authority for autonomous systems. Overall, this dissertation establishes the viability of bleed-air actuation as a control mechanism that brings distinct benefits to guided aerial delivery systems through reduced SWaP, enhanced control efficiency, and improved cost-effectiveness for aerial delivery and recovery applications.
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2025-07-28
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Dissertation