Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090212158 | Aircraft Systems with Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Actuators, and Associated Methods - Aircraft systems with shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, and associated methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with one embodiment includes an airfoil, a deployable device coupled to the airfoil, and a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device. In one embodiment, the deployable device can be coupled to the airfoil with a hinge having a hinge load path supporting the deployable device relative to the airfoil, and the actuator can be movable along a motion path different than the hinge load path between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil. In another embodiment, an activatable link can be positioned between the actuator and the deployable device, and can have an engaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is transmitted to the deployable device, and a disengaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is not transmitted to the deployable device. | 08-27-2009 |
20110101170 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATOR - An aircraft system may include an airfoil and a deployable device coupled to the airfoil. The system may further include a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device. The actuator may be movable between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil. The system may additionally include an activatable link positioned between the actuator and the deployable device. The link may have an engaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is transmitted to the deployable device, and a disengaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is not transmitted to the deployable device. | 05-05-2011 |
20110300358 | SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY/FIBER REINFORCED POLYMERIC COMPOSITE STRUCTURES AND METHOD FOR FORMING - A carbon fiber composite structure including a first plurality of carbon fiber prepreg plies; and a second plurality of sheets of shape memory alloy interleaved with the first plurality of carbon fiber prepreg plies. | 12-08-2011 |
20120060491 | REMOTELY ACTUATED WIND TUNNEL MODEL RUDDER USING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY - A rotational actuator assembly employs a first torsion actuator having a shape memory alloy (SMA) tube with a first trained twist direction and a second torsion actuator having a SMA tube with an opposite trained twist direction collinear with the first torsion actuator with abutting proximal ends. A central fitting joins the proximal ends. A control system for temperature control of the first torsion actuator and second torsion actuator about an average temperature provides combined antagonistic rotation of the central fitting. | 03-15-2012 |
20120282474 | Shape Memory Alloy Fairings - Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon. | 11-08-2012 |
20120305167 | AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES BONDED WITH ADHESIVE INCLUDING MAGNETOSTRICTIVE MATERIAL - First and second aircraft structures are bonded together with an adhesive including strain-sensitive magnetostrictive material. | 12-06-2012 |
20140023837 | AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES BONDED WITH ADHESIVE INCLUDING MAGNETOSTRICTIVE MATERIAL - First and second aircraft structures are bonded together with an adhesive including strain-sensitive magnetostrictive material. The magnetostrictive material has a magnetomechanical coefficient greater than e−5. | 01-23-2014 |
20140331665 | Vortex Generator Using Shape Memory Alloys - In one embodiment, the disclosed vortex generator may include a flap, a bearing configured to be mounted on a surface, an axle retained in the bearing, the flap attached to the axle such that the flap rotates relative to the bearing about the axle, and an actuator made of a shape memory alloy attached to the flap and to a support, the actuator shaped to receive the axle therethrough, such that a change in temperature of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate the flap relative to the bearing. | 11-13-2014 |