“Physics of Gust Response Mitigation in Open-Loop Pitching Maneuvers”

 Mr. Girguis Sedky

 Ph.D. Candidate

University of Maryland

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

37-124 Eng. IV
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

 Abstract: Unsteady flow conditions present significant challenges to stable flight, and gust rejection remains a concern for flight control in many modern flight environments. Examples of gust-dominated flight include flight in stormy conditions, aircraft takeoff and landing in strong crosswinds or ship air wakes, and micro air vehicle flight in urban settings. Improving flight stability in unsteady conditions relies on (a) an improved understanding of the fundamental unsteady flow physics during large-amplitude gust encounters, and (b) the development of improved aerodynamic load mitigation strategies. In this talk, I will discuss the construction and experimental implementation of several closed- and open-loop pitching strategies to mitigate the aerodynamic lift transients of a wing encountering a large-amplitude transverse gust. I will be sharing some of our latest experimental findings based on lift, pitching moment, and flow field measurements. Some of the highlights of these results include the identification of the physical mechanisms of lift mitigation, analysis of the pitching moments experienced by the wing with and without pitch control, and a preliminary demonstration of closed-loop mitigation without a-priori knowledge of the gust onset time or strength.

Biosketch: Girguis Sedky is a Ph.D. candidate studying the unsteady aerodynamics of wing-gust encounters. He earned his M.S. degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland in 2019 and his B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University in 2017. His work centers on the flow physics of the gust encounter process and ways to mitigate undesirable wing loading transients. He co-instructed the graduate unsteady aerodynamics course as well as the undergraduate incompressible aerodynamics course. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Wylie Dissertation Fellowship, the Aerospace Distinguished Alumni Scholarship, and the Dean’s 2019 Masters Research Award. In addition to his core research area, he has collaborated and published with labs from numerous institutions including the Air force Research Laboratory/the University of Dayton, University of Cambridge, Universidad Carlos Ⅲ de Madrid, and  Istanbul Technical University.

For more information, please contact Prof. Taira at ktaira@seas.ucla.edu

All faculty, students, and guests are welcome to this event.

(Refreshments will be served.)