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US 2020/0047875 A1Published application
Methods, Systems, and Apparatuses For In-Line Variably Porous Surfaces
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsFrederick Theodore Calkins, Douglas E. Nicholson, Jordan Kreitzman
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Abstract
Variably porous panels and panel assemblies incorporating shape memory alloy components along with methods for actuating the shape memory alloys are disclosed to predictably alter the porosity of a substrate surface, with the shape memory alloy maintained in an orientation relative to the panel that is in-plane with a mold-line of the panel outer surface.
Claims23
A panel assembly comprising:
- a panel, said panel having a panel inner surface and a panel outer surface, said panel further comprising at least one through opening;
- a shape memory alloy component, said shape memory alloy component in contact with the panel inner surface, said shape memory alloy component having a first dimension in a non-activated state and said shape memory alloy component having at least a second dimension or a plurality of dimensions in an activated state, said second dimension or plurality of dimensions different from the first dimension;
- wherein the shape memory alloy component is maintained in an orientation relative to the panel, said orientation in-plane with a mold-line of the panel outer surface;
- and
- wherein said panel assembly comprises an initial porosity in a non-activated state, and said panel assembly comprises at least one variable porosity in an activated state, said variable porosity different from the initial porosity.
2 more elements
A variably porous system for a vehicle surface, said system comprising:
- a panel, said panel comprising a panel inner surface and a panel outer surface, said panel outer surface comprising a mold-line, and said panel further comprising at least one opening through said panel;
- a shape memory alloy component, said shape memory alloy component in contact with the panel inner surface, said shape memory alloy component having a first dimension in a non-activated state and said shape memory alloy component having at least a second dimension or a plurality of dimensions in an activated state, said second dimension or plurality of dimensions different from the first dimension;
- an actuator in communication with the shape memory alloy component;
- a controller in communication with the actuator;
- and
- wherein the shape memory alloy component in the non-activated state and the activated state is maintained in an orientation relative to the panel, said orientation of the shape memory alloy component in-plane with a mold-line of the panel outer surface.
3 more elements
A method for changing porosity of a part, said method comprising:
- providing a part having a first porosity, said part comprising a substrate, said substrate comprising a substrate inner surface and a substrate outer surface, and said part further comprising a shape memory alloy component, said shape memory alloy component having an initial dimension in a non-activated state and said shape memory alloy component having at least a second dimension in an activated state, said second dimension differing from the initial dimension;
- activating the shape memory alloy component to form the shape memory alloy component in the activated state;
- changing the dimension of the shape memory alloy component from the initial dimension to a second dimension;
- maintaining the shape memory alloy component in an orientation relative to the substrate that is in-plane with a mold-line of the substrate outer surface when the shape memory alloy component is in the non-activated state and the activated state;
- and
- changing the porosity of the part.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.