Edge morphing arrangement for an airfoil

US11174002B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• FlexSys, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Sridhar Kota · Brighton, US
• Gregory F. Ervin · Canton, US
• Jia-Hsuan Lo · Ann Arbor, US
• Kerr-Jia Lu · Ann Arbor, US
• Dragan Maric · Kearny, US
• Mark R. Trost · Ann Arbor, US
• Ruey-Khan K. Tsang · Ann Arbor, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 28, 2017
• Grant date: Nov 16, 2021
• Expiry date: May 11, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02T50/40
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

An edge-morphing arrangement for an airfoil includes a compliant upper surface and a compliant lower surface that are joined together. An actuator is coupled to a driven surface and actuated to move the driven surface and change the shape thereof, with the non-driven surface changing its shape in response to actuation of the driven surface. The upper and lower surfaces can be part of a sub-flap mounted to a traditional flap of the fixed wing of an airplane. The upper and lower surfaces can be mounted to existing structure in the flap, or the flap components can be mounted to the sub-flap. The upper and lower surfaces can alternatively replace the traditional flap in the fixed wing of an aircraft. The upper and lower surfaces are continuous and can be deflected upward, downward, or twisted in a span-wise direction relative to the flap or wing.