Design and experimental verification of a large-scale coupled morphing-wing mechanism for hypersonic vehiclesOA

Hypersonic morphing vehicle(HMV)can reconfigure aerodynamic geometries in real time,adapting to diverse needs like multi-mission profiles and wide-speed-range flight,spanwise morphing and sweep angle variation are representative large-scale wing reconfiguration modes.To meet the HMV''s need for an increased lift and a lift to drag ratio during hypersonic maneuverability and cruise or reentry equilibrium glide,this paper proposes an innovative single-DOF coupled morphing-wing system.We then systematically analyze its open-loop kinematics and closed-loop connectivity constraints,and the proposed system integrates three functional modules:the preset locking/release mechanism,the coupled morphing-wing mechanism,and the integrated wing locking with active stiffness control mechanism.Experimental validation confirms stable,continuous morphing under simulated aerodynamic loads.The experimental results indicate:(i)SMA actuators exhibit response times ranging from 18 s to 160 s,providing sufficient force output for wing unlocking;(ii)The integrated wing locking with active stiffness control mechanism effectively secures wing positions while eliminating airframe clearance via SMA actuation,improving the first-order natural frequency by more than 17%;(iii)The distributed aerodynamic loading system enables precise multi-stage follow-up loading during morphing,with the coupled morphing wing maintaining stable,continuous operation under 0-3500 N normal loads and 110-140 N axial force.The proposed single-DOF coupled morphing mechanism not only simplifies and improves structural efficiency but also demonstrates superior performance in locking control,stiffness enhancement,and aerodynamic responsiveness.This establishes a foundational framework for the design of future intelligent morphing configurations and the implementation of flight control systems.