Topology Optimization of a Section of a Morphing Serpentine Aircraft Inlet

The applicability of morphing structures for airframe design is well documented, as aircraft surfaces are sensitive to flight conditions and environmental factors. This becomes a critical factor in the design of airframes with internally mounted propulsion systems. Such designs necessitate the use of a serpentine inlet, the optimal shape of which is dependent on flight conditions. This work focusses on the structural optimization of a section of a serpentine aircraft inlet capable of morphing. The trade-offs between morphing ability and structural performance are of key interest, and are explored in this study. As a structure becomes more compliant to accommodate a change of shape, it loses structural stiffness. A topology optimization algorithm was written to generate a Pareto Frontier of optimal designs for this problem. The scope of this work is limited to a small section of a specific serpentine inlet design for which aerodynamic shape optimization for different flight conditions has already been conducted.