MORPHING AIRCRAFT SKIN WITH EMBEDDED VISCOUS PEELING NETWORK

    公开(公告)号:US20220097821A1

    公开(公告)日:2022-03-31

    申请号:US17422539

    申请日:2020-01-15

    IPC分类号: B64C3/44

    摘要: An airfoil surface skin, comprising a network of a solid material, embedded in a base of deformable solid material. Fluid pressure applied to the interface between the network and the surrounding embedding material, opens an internal network of channels by viscous peeling of the surrounding solid from the network. The network is offset from the centerline the surround material, such that pressure driven viscous flow through the narrow channels generates two types of deformation of the skin—an in-plane elongation and a curvature of the skin plane itself. The shape of the internal solid core element and its material, and the material of the encompassing solid are chosen to achieve a desired integral structural rigidity. The injected fluid pressure determines the extent of extension and bending. Use of this skin enables shape amending airfoils having reduced drag compared with similar airfoils having conventional flap mechanisms

    MORPHING AIRFOIL SYSTEM
    3.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20210237848A1

    公开(公告)日:2021-08-05

    申请号:US17218290

    申请日:2021-03-31

    摘要: A morphing airfoil system includes an airfoil including a bulkhead and an airfoil body extending from the bulkhead, at least one inflatable/deflatable bladder positioned within the airfoil body, and a bladder pressurization mechanism configured for controlling pressurization of the at least one bladder. The system also includes one or more processors and a memory communicably coupled to the one or more processors and storing an airfoil control module including instructions that when executed by the processor(s) cause the processor(s) to control operation of the bladder pressurization mechanism to increase or decrease internal pressure in the at least one bladder to change a configuration of the airfoil.

    MORPHING AIRFOIL SYSTEM
    5.
    发明申请

    公开(公告)号:US20200255117A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-08-13

    申请号:US16273822

    申请日:2019-02-12

    IPC分类号: B64C3/44 B64C3/14

    摘要: A morphing airfoil system includes an airfoil having a bulkhead structured to form a leading edge of the airfoil. A first spool is rotatably coupled to the bulkhead, and a second spool is rotatably coupled to the bulkhead opposite the first spool. An airfoil skin has a first end secured to the first spool, a second end secured to the second spool, and a portion extending between the first and second spools to form an exterior surface of the airfoil. The airfoil skin is structured to be windable around the first and second spools such that a configuration of the airfoil is controllable by rotating at least one of the first spool and the second spool so as to wind a portion of the airfoil skin around, or unwind a portion of the airfoil skin from, the at least one of the first spool and the second spool.

    Wall structure for a morphing structural member

    公开(公告)号:US10180027B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-01-15

    申请号:US15298240

    申请日:2016-10-20

    摘要: A foldable dual-layered wall structure is positionable in a stowed condition and in a deployed condition. The wall structure includes a first foldable layer having at least a first pair of panels and a first joint rotatably connecting the panels of the at least a first pair of panels. A second foldable layer is positioned adjacent to the first foldable layer. The second foldable layer includes at least a second pair of panels and a second joint rotatably connecting the panels of the at least a second pair of panels. The wall structure is structured such that the first joint is positioned directly opposite a panel of the at least a second pair of panels and the second joint is positioned directly opposite a panel of the at least a first pair of panels when the wall structure is in the deployed condition.