Design and Implementation of Fuzzy Logic Controller for Wing Rock

The wing rock phenomenon is a high angle of attack aerodynamic motion manifested by limit cycle roll oscillations. Experimental studies reveal that direct control and manipulation of leading edge vortices, through the use of ‘blowing’ techniques is effective in the suppression of wing rock. This paper presents the design of a robust controller for the experimental implementation of one such ‘blowing’ technique – recessed angle spanwise blowing (RASB), to achieve wing rock suppression over a range of operating conditions. The robust controller employs Takagi – Sugeno fuzzy system, which is fine-tuned by experimental simulations. Performance of the controller is assessed by real-time wind tunnel experiments with an 80 degree swept back delta wing. Robustness is demonstrated by the suppression of wing rock at a range of angles of attack and free stream velocities. Numerical simulation results are used to further substantiate the experimental findings.