Systems and processes that integrate thermoplastic and shape memory alloy materials to form an adaptive composite structure capable of changing its shape. For example, the adaptive composite structure may be designed to serve as a multifunctional adaptive wing flight control surface. Other applications for such adaptive composite structures include in variable area fan nozzles, winglets, fairings, elevators, rudders, or other aircraft components having an aerodynamic surface whose shape is preferably controllable. The material systems can be integrated by means of overbraiding (interwoven) with tows of both thermoplastic and shape memory alloy materials or separate layers of each material can be consolidated (e.g., using induction heating) to make a flight control surface that does not require separate actuation.
Adaptive Composite Structure Using Shape Memory Alloys
2018-08-30
Patent
Electronic Resource
English
IPC: | B29C Formen oder Verbinden von Kunststoffen , SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS / B29B PREPARATION OR PRETREATMENT OF THE MATERIAL TO BE SHAPED , Vorbereiten oder Vorbehandeln der zu verformenden Masse / B29K Index-Schema für Formmassen oder Materialien für Verstärkungen, Füllstoffe oder vorgeformte Teile, z.B. Einlagen in Verbindung mit den Unterklassen B29B, B29C oder B29D , INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS / B29L INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES , Index-Schema für besondere Gegenstände in Verbindung mit Unterklasse B29C / B32B LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM , Schichtkörper, d.h. aus Ebenen oder gewölbten Schichten, z.B. mit zell- oder wabenförmiger Form, aufgebaute Erzeugnisse / B64C AEROPLANES , Flugzeuge / F03G Feder-, Gewichts-, Trägheits- oder ähnliche Kraftmaschinen , SPRING, WEIGHT, INERTIA, OR LIKE MOTORS / H05K PRINTED CIRCUITS , Gedruckte Schaltungen |
METHOD OF FABRICATING AN ADAPTIVE COMPOSITE STRUCTURE USING SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS
European Patent Office | 2017
|