Design of a Flow Control Device Using a Special Class of Hybrid Symmetric Bistable Laminates in Clamped Boundary Condition

In this manuscript, a concept flow control valve is designed, exploiting the bistable characteristics of a special class of hybrid laminates made of glass epoxy and carbon epoxy prepregs. The principal structural element of the device is a hybrid bistable laminate, having a multi-section layup laid in a symmetric configuration. The thermal curing process responsible for the inherent bistability is simulated in ABAQUS(Formula Presented) and the equilibrium shapes hence obtained using the FEA scheme is validated against an existing semi-analytical technique based on the Rayleigh-Ritz minimization of potential functional. These multi-stable elements are then studied for their potential in controlling a flowing stream. Toward that, the snapping response of these laminates in a flow stream is analyzed using a combination of XFOIL and ABAQUS(Formula Presented). The pressure distribution on the laminate is estimated using XFOIL, which is an interactive program for analysis of subsonic isolated airfoils in viscous/inviscid low Reynolds number flow. The pressure distribution hence obtained is used to evaluate the load-displacement characteristics of the laminate using post-buckling regime analysis capabilities of ABAQUS(Formula Presented). Using these analysis tools, the design space is explored and the possibility of using the proposed bistable design elements for flow regulation is established.