# US 11,028,725 B2 · Adaptive morphing engine geometry > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,028,725 B2 - Document ID: US11028725B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/219,240 - Filed: 2018-12-13 - Published: 2020-06-18 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2018-12-13 - Assignees: Raytheon Technologies Corporation - Applicants: United Technologies Corporation - Inventors: Zaffir A. Chaudhry; Andrzej Ernest Kuczek; Dilip Prasad - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11028725B2 ## CPC - F01D 5/141: {Shape, i.e. outer, aerodynamic form (F01D5/148 - F01D5/20 take precedence; blade construction F01D5/147)} - F01D 17/12: arranged in stator parts - F01D 5/147: {Construction, i.e. structural features, e.g. of weight-saving hollow blades (F01D5/148, F01D5/16 and F01D5/20 take precedence; blade shape F01D5/141; blades with cooling or heating channels or cavities F01D5/18; heating, heat-insulating or cooling means on blades F01D5/18)} - F01D 5/28: Selecting particular materials; {Particular measures relating thereto;} Measures against erosion or corrosion - F01D 5/284: {Selection of ceramic materials} - F01D 9/02: Nozzles; Nozzle boxes; Stator blades; Guide conduits {, e.g. individual nozzles (nozzle boxes F01D9/047)} - F01D 17/16: by means of nozzle vanes - F05D 2240/12: Fluid guiding means, e.g. vanes - F05D 2250/28: patterned - F05D 2300/43: Synthetic polymers, e.g. plastics; Rubber - F05D 2300/6033: Ceramic matrix composites [CMC] - F01D: NON-POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, e.g. STEAM TURBINES (machines or engines for liquids F03; non-positive displacement pumps F04D) - F05D: INDEXING SCHEME FOR ASPECTS RELATING TO NON-POSITIVE-DISPLACEMENT MACHINES OR ENGINES, GAS-TURBINES OR JET-PROPULSION PLANTS ## Abstract A morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry comprising a control surface having an articulated portion comprising a flexible skin coupled at an exterior of the articulated portion, the flexible skin comprising opposed interlocking elements sandwiched within a flexible polymer coupled to the interlocking elements; wherein the flexible skin is configured compliant responsive to an articulation of the articulated portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry comprising: a control surface having an articulated portion comprising a flexible skin coupled at an exterior of said articulated portion, said flexible skin comprising opposed interlocking elements sandwiched within a flexible polymer coupled to said interlocking elements; wherein said flexible skin is configured compliant responsive to an articulation of said articulated portion; said interlocking elements comprise at least one upper element and at least one lower element opposite said at least one upper element; said at least one upper element comprises an upper element exterior surface and an upper element interior surface having a feature opposite said upper element exterior surface; said at least one lower element comprises a lower element exterior surface and a lower element interior surface with a feature opposite said lower element exterior surface; said upper element interior feature configured to interlock with a lower element interior feature; said upper element interior feature comprises a peg extending out of a portion of said upper element interior surface and said lower element interior feature comprises a receiver formed in said lower element interior surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said articulated portion is part of a gas turbine engine component selected from the group consisting of a variable geometry splitter, gas flow path, a static engine component, a variable inlet guide vane and an adaptive flap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said flexible polymer surrounding said interlocking elements comprises a high temperature polymer volcanized to said interlocking elements. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said flexible polymer comprises a lower stiffness than said interlocking elements. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements are configured to interlock with a predetermined limit to slide and rotate relative to each other and maintain contact. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said control surface is configured to articulate into a curved surface configured to produce an aerodynamic effect on a gas passing over said control surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer are configured in a mosaic pattern. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements comprise at least one of a metal material and a ceramic composite material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer are configured in a spaced apart pattern. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer comprise a smooth exterior surface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements are bonded together by said flexible polymer. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer comprise polygonal shapes. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 1, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer are formed in multiple layers. ### Claim 14 A morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry comprising: a control surface having an articulated portion comprising a flexible skin coupled at an exterior of said articulated portion, said flexible skin comprising opposed interlocking elements sandwiched within a flexible polymer coupled to said interlocking elements; said flexible skin is configured compliant responsive to an articulation of said articulated portion; said interlocking elements comprise at least one upper element and at least one lower element opposite said at least one upper element; said at least one upper element comprises an upper element exterior surface and an upper element interior feature opposite said upper element exterior surface; said at least one lower element comprises a lower element exterior surface and a lower element interior feature opposite said lower element exterior surface; said upper element interior feature configured to interlock with the lower element interior feature; said upper element interior feature and said lower element interior feature comprises inverted edges along a portion of said upper element and said lower element respectively; said inverted edges comprise corners bend into flat hooks facing said interior surface for each of said upper element and said lower element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said inverted edges of said upper element and said inverted edges of said lower element interlock at said corners. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer are configured in a mosaic pattern. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements comprise at least one of a metal material and a ceramic composite material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer are configured in a spaced apart pattern. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer comprise a smooth exterior surface. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements are bonded together by said flexible polymer. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer comprise polygonal shapes. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The morphing aerodynamic control surface geometry according to claim 14, wherein said interlocking elements sandwiched within said flexible polymer are formed in multiple layers.