Aircraft systems with shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, and associated methods

An aircraft system, comprising:

• an airfoil;
• a deployable device coupled to the airfoil with a hinge having a hinge load path supporting the deployable device relative to the airfoil;
• a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device, the actuator being movable along a motion path different than the hinge load path between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil;
• and
• a selectively activatable link positioned between the actuator and the deployable device, the link having an engaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is transmitted to the deployable device, and a disengaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is not transmitted to the deployable device.

An aircraft system, comprising:

• an airfoil;
• a deployable device coupled to the airfoil with a hinge having a hinge load path supporting the deployable device relative to the airfoil;
• a shape memory alloy actuator coupled between the airfoil and the deployable device, the actuator being movable along a motion path different than the hinge load path between a first position with the deployable device deployed relative to the airfoil, and a second position with the deployable device stowed relative to the airfoil;
• an activatable link positioned between the actuator and the deployable device, the link having an engaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is transmitted to the deployable device, and a disengaged configuration in which motion of the actuator is not transmitted to the deployable device;
• and
• a selectively activatable lock coupled between the deployable device and the airfoil, the lock having a locked configuration in which the deployable device has a fixed position relative to the airfoil, and an unlocked configuration in which the deployable device is movable relative to the airfoil.