Multi-material printed control surface
US11046415B1 · kind B1 · utility
3Cited by
13References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 6, 2019 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2039 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB33Y10/00
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Additive and subtractive manufacturing (e.g. 3D Printing) is used to form aeroelastic airfoils with control surface region(s) having conventional rib/spar structural topologies and a continuous skin (e.g smooth surface) formed over the entire outer surface of the airfoil. The control surface is moved with internal actuators resulting in a “morphing” airfoil as the skin stretches to follow the moving structure of the control surface region. The airfoil can include a plurality of different material moduli and geometric featuring to balance the appropriate control of stiffness with topological requirements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.