Innovation in Aeronautics

by T Young (Editor), M Hirst (Editor)

Overview

Innovation in aerospace design and engineering is essential to meet the many challenges facing this sector. Innovation in aeronautics explores both a range of innovative ideas and how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed.After an introduction to innovation in aeronautics, part one reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers, and developments underpinned by digital technologies. The environment and human factors in innovation are also explored as are trends in supersonic passenger air travel. Part two goes on to examine change and the processes and management involved in innovative technology development. Challenges faced in aeronautical production are the focus of part three, which reviews topics such as intellectual property and patents, risk mitigation and the use of lean engineering. Finally, part four examines key issues in what makes for successful innovation in this sector.With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Innovation in aeronautics is an essential guide for all those involved in the design and engineering of aerospace structures and systems. - Explores a range of innovative aerospace design ideas - Discusses how the process of innovation itself can be effectively managed - Reviews developments including biologically-inspired technologies, morphing aerodynamic concepts, jet engine design drivers and developments underpinned by digital technologies

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780857096098
Publisher:	Woodhead Publishing, Limited
Publication date:	06/22/2012
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	416
File size:	8 MB

About the Author

Trevor Young is Senior Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering at the University of Limerick, Ireland.
Mike Hirst is a Senior Associate with Airport Planning and Development Ltd, Leeds, UK. He is a chartered engineer and aviation systems specialist with some 40 years’ experience in civil aviation, including flight testing, air traffic control and systems, airport design, and operations training, education and research.

Table of Contents

Contributor contact details Part I: Concepts Chapter 1: Introduction to innovation in aeronautics 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Concepts 1.3 Change 1.4 Challenges Chapter 2: Biologically inspired technologies for aeronautics Abstract: 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Biologically inspired or independent human innovation 2.3 Nature as a source of innovation in aerospace 2.4 Biologically inspired mechanisms and systems 2.5 Robotics as beneficiary of biomimetic technologies 2.6 Conclusion: challenges and potential development 2.7 Acknowledgement Chapter 3: Aircraft morphing technologies Abstract: 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Early aircraft morphing developments 3.3 Keeping morphing alive – NASA research in morphing aircraft structures 3.4 Resurgence of morphing concepts 3.5 Current morphing component technologies 3.6 Conclusion: the future of aircraft morphing technologies Chapter 4: Jet engine design drivers: past, present and future Abstract: 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Technological drivers 4.3 New challenges 4.4 Meeting the challenges through innovation 4.5 Conclusion Chapter 5: Innovation in avionic systems: developments underpinned by digital technologies Abstract: 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Cost 5.3 Capability 5.4 Demand 5.5 Timing 5.6 Future requirements 5.7 Current safety processes 5.8 The system of the future 5.9 The ultimate avionics computer 5.10 System–crew interaction 5.11 Conclusions Chapter 6: The environment as the key design driver in aeronautics Abstract: 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Economic efficiency 6.3 Environmental impact 6.4 The characteristics of the aeroplane 6.5 What determines the value of the energy liberated to revenue work ratio (ETRW)? 6.6 Observations on the ETRW 6.7 Aircraft performance 6.8 Where does it all go? Explaining the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work 6.9 Improving the discrepancy between energy liberated and revenue work 6.10 Addressing the climate issue 6.11 Conclusions 6.12 Acknowledgements Chapter 7: The human factors that relate to technological developments in aviation Abstract: 7.1 Introduction to human factors as a discipline 7.2 Human factors in a socio-technical system context 7.3 A history of human factors 7.4 Recent developments and current trends 7.5 Future trends 7.6 Conclusion Chapter 8: Innovation in supersonic passenger air travel Abstract: 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Historical background 8.3 Operational issues 8.4 Technological issues: sonic boom 8.5 Technological issues: aerodynamics 8.6 Technological issues: airworthiness 8.7 Manufacturers and design organisations 8.8 Conclusion 8.9 Acknowledgement Part II: Change Chapter 9: The process of innovation in aeronautics Abstract: 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Definitions and sources of confusion 9.3 How to measure innovation 9.4 The innovation process 9.5 Innovation environments 9.6 Innovation viewed as a management of knowledge problem 9.7 Whole systems view of innovation 9.8 Conclusion: innovation processes of the future Chapter 10: Managing innovative technology development in aeronautics: technology assessment (TA) techniques Abstract: 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Methods and limitations 10.3 Approach and example 10.4 Conclusion 10.5 Abbreviations Chapter 11: Mining the ‘far side’ of technology to develop revolutionary aircraft prototypes: the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) approach Abstract: 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) philosophy and structure 11.3 DARPA and innovation in aviation 11.4 Examples of DARPA innovation in aviation 11.5 DARPA's aviation-related programs 11.6 Conclusions Chapter 12: Revolutionary ideas about the future of air transport Abstract: 12.1 The mind set to find revolutionary solutions 12.2 Technological change 12.3 A framework for assessing revolutionary ideas 12.4 Carrying forward requirements into design 12.5 Telecommunications and IT in society 12.