Vortex generators, aircraft systems including the same, and related methods

A vortex generator, comprising:

• a vane configured to be operatively coupled to an aerodynamic surface of a vehicle, wherein the vane is configured to rotate between a stowed position and a deployed position, wherein the vortex generator is configured to reduce noise created by an airflow around or along the aerodynamic surface when the vane is in the deployed position;
• a spring operatively coupled to the vane, the spring comprising an elongate tube comprising a superelastic shape memory alloy, wherein the spring is configured to cause the vane to rotate from the stowed position to the deployed position when the elongate tube is twisted in a first direction, wherein the elongate tube is configured to twist in the first direction due to a stress-induced response that causes the elongate tube to twist, wherein the elongate tube is configured to undergo a stress-induced phase transformation as a result of activation of the spring that twists the elongate tube in the first direction;
• and
• a mounting base configured to receive the vane when the vane is in the stowed position, wherein the mounting base is configured to operatively couple the vortex generator to the aerodynamic surface of the vehicle, wherein a first end of the elongate tube is fixed with respect to the aerodynamic surface of the vehicle, wherein a second end of the elongate tube is free to rotate with respect to the mounting base and the aerodynamic surface of the vehicle, and wherein the elongate tube is configured such that torque is built up within the elongate tube as the stress-induced response causes the elongate tube to twist.