Shape Memory Alloy Actuator System for Composite Aircraft Structures

• Main Authors: Zimmerman Tyler Jacob, Mabe James Henry, Dilligan Matthew Anthony, Blohowiak Kay Y, Calkins Frederick T
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 11.08.2016
• Subjects: AEROPLANES; AIRCRAFT; AVIATION; BLASTING; CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TOTRANSPORTATION; COSMONAUTICS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; HEATING; HELICOPTERS; LIGHTING; MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; MECHANICAL-POWER PRODUCING DEVICES OR MECHANISMS, NOTOTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR OR USING ENERGY SOURCES NOT OTHERWISEPROVIDED FOR; OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; PERFORMING OPERATIONS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER; SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA OR LIKE MOTORS; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS; TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINSTCLIMATE CHANGE; TRANSPORTING; WEAPONS; WIND, SPRING WEIGHT AND MISCELLANEOUS MOTORS

Method and apparatus for controlling a shape of a composite structure. A shape memory structure associated with the composite structure is activated. The shape memory structure changes from a buckled shape to an original shape and causes the composite structure to change from an undeployed shape to a deployed shape. The shape memory structure is deactivated. The shape memory structure changes from the original shape to the buckled shape in response to a load from the composite structure and causes the composite structure to change from the deployed shape to the undeployed shape.