Adaptive control surface using antagonistic shape memory alloy tendons
US5662294A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1995 |
| Grant date | Sep 2, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08L2201/12
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A pliant, controllable contour control surface comprising a first flexible facesheet formed to a first initial contour of the control surface, and a second flexible facesheet formed to a second initial contour of the control surface. The first and second facesheets each have a set of prestrained shape memory alloy tendons embedded therein, extending from a leading edge to a trailing edge of the control surface. Each set of the shape memory alloy tendons is separately connected to a controlled source of electrical current such that tendons of the first and second flexible facesheets can be selectively heated in an antagonistic, slack-free relationship, to bring about a desired modification of the configuration of the control surface. A computer based control system is utilized for maintaining a constant temperature of the antagonists to establish conditions conducive to the stress induced transformation from austenite to martensite, accomplished by causing constant current to flow through the antagonists. Proportional/integral (PI) control is utilized in connection with the opposing shape memory tendons.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.