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A knowledge-based integrated aircraft conceptual design framework

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Abstract

The conceptual design is the early stage of aircraft design process where results are needed fast, both analytically and visually so that the design can be analyzed and eventually improved in the initial phases. Although there is no necessity for a CAD model from the very beginning of the design process, it can be an added advantage to have the model to get the impression and appearance. Furthermore, this means that a seamless transition into preliminary design is achieved since the CAD model can guardedly be made more detailed. For this purpose, knowledge-based aircraft conceptual design applications Tango (Matlab) and RAPID (CATIA) are being developed at Linköping University. Based on a parametric data definition in XML, this approach allows for a full 3D CAD integration. The one-database approach, also explored by many research organizations, enables the flexible and efficient integration of the different multidisciplinary processes during the whole conceptual design phase. This paper describes the knowledge-based design automated methodology of RAPID, data processing between RAPID and Tango and its application in the courses “Aircraft conceptual design” and “Aircraft project course” at Linköping University. A multifaceted user interface is developed to assist the whole design process.

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Abbreviations

CAD:

Computer aided design

CADLab:

Conceptual aircraft design laboratory

CATIA:

Computer aided three-dimensional interactive application

DOM :

Document object model

EKL :

Engineering knowledge language

FAR :

Federal acquisition regulation

KBS :

Knowledge-based system

KBE :

Knowledge-based engineering

KP :

Knowledge pattern

PC :

Power copy

RAPID:

Robust aircraft parametric interactive design

SFC:

Specific fuel consumption

TR :

Taper ratio

UDF:

User-defined feature

VB :

Visual Basic

VBA:

Visual Basic for applications

XML:

Extensible markup language

XLST:

Extensible stylesheet language

\(A_R\) :

Aspect ratio

\(C_S\) :

Fuselage cross-section

\(C_{S}^{i}\) :

\(\textit{i}\)th cross-section

\(C_u\) :

Upper curve

\(C_l\) :

Lower curve

\(C_c\) :

Combine curve

\(f_i(Z)\) :

Piecewise polynomial functions

\(f_u\) :

Fuselage function

\(H_f\) :

Height of fuselage

k :

Kink position

\(L_f\) :

Length of fuselage

\(n_p\) :

Number of parameters

\(P_i\) :

Points on a spline

\(p_{1,2,\ldots 7}\) :

Control points of cross-section

S :

Reference wing area

\(S_p\) :

Splines

w :

Wing function

\(w_p\) :

Wing partitions

\(w_{p}^{i}\) :

\(\textit{i}\)th wing partition

\(W_f\) :

Width of fuselage

\(\Gamma\) :

Dihedral

\(\theta\) :

Incidence/Twist

\(\lambda\) :

Taper ratio

\(\Lambda\) :

Sweep

\(\alpha _{p_{2,3,5,6}}\) :

Angle measured w.r.t horizontal or vertical

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Acknowledgments

This research is supported by the Swedish National Aviation Engineering Program (NFFP) jointly operated by the Swedish Armed Forces, Swedish Defense Material Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (VINNOVA) [30]. The authors thank the NFFP founders for this support. The authors would also like to thank the students of Aircraft Conceptual Design and Aircraft Project courses at Linköping University for their excellent work during the courses as well the Mid-Jet project course team leader and test pilot David Lundström for his great efforts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Linköping University, Linköping, 581 83, Sweden

    Raghu Chaitanya Munjulury, Ingo Staack & Petter Krus

  2. Saab Aeronautics, Linköping, 581 88, Sweden

    Patrick Berry

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  1. Raghu Chaitanya Munjulury
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  2. Ingo Staack
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  3. Patrick Berry
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  4. Petter Krus
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Correspondence to Raghu Chaitanya Munjulury.

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Munjulury, R.C., Staack, I., Berry, P. et al. A knowledge-based integrated aircraft conceptual design framework. CEAS Aeronaut J 7, 95–105 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13272-015-0174-z

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