A Novel Method to Attach Membranes Uniformly on MAV Wings

Abstract

Highly compliant wings have been used for MAV platforms, where the wing structure is determined by some combination of carbon fiber composites and a membrane skin, adhered in between the layers of composite material. The wing topology can be tailored to obtain the desired change in aerodynamic performance through passive shape adaptation. Pre-tension of the membrane plays a major role in the static and dynamic response of membrane wings and controls the overall deflections. In the past, the methods used to apply pretension when fabricating MAV wings were rudimentary. A new technique of attaching membranes firmly on wing structures is introduced, which involves the application of a technology known as corona treatment combined with another repeatable method of tensioning silicone membranes on any given frame geometry. Corona treatment provided a means of increasing adhesion of silicone on carbon fiber through the use of a high-frequency high-voltage air plasma discharge. The silicone membrane is co-cured with carbon fiber under vacuum pressure at an elevated temperature. After cool down, the membrane is tensioned.