Compliant structure design for varying surface contours
AssigneeFlexSys, Inc.
InventorsJoel A. Hetrick, Gregory F. Ervin, Sridhar Kota
Life of this patent
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AssigneeFlexSys, Inc.
InventorsJoel A. Hetrick, Gregory F. Ervin, Sridhar Kota
Estimating the term…
An edge morphing arrangement for an airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces is provided with an elongated edge portion that overlies the edge of the airfoil, the edge portion having a surface element having first and second edges that communicate with, and form extensions of, respective ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the elongated airfoil. The surface elements are formed of deformable compliant material that extends cross-sectionally from the first surface element edge to an apex of the edge portion, and to the second surface element edge. There is additionally provided a driving link having first and second driving link ends, the first driving link end being coupled to the interior of one of the first and second rib portions. The second end is arranged to receive a morphing force, and the rib element is deformed in response to the morphing force.
An edge morphing arrangement for an elongated airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces, the elongated airfoil edge morphing arrangement comprising:
An edge morphing arrangement for an elongated airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces, the elongated airfoil edge morphing arrangement comprising a monolithic and self-supporting elongated trailing edge portion arranged to overlie a trailing edge of the elongated airfoil parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated airfoil, said monolithic and self-supporting elongated trailing edge portion having a substantially continuous surface element having first and second surface element edges that are arranged to communicate with, and to form extensions of, respectively associated ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the elongated airfoil, the substantially continuous surface element being formed of a deformable compliant material that extends cross-sectionally from the first surface element edge that is configured to communicate with, and form an extension of, one of the upper and lower control surfaces, to an apex of said edge portion, and to the second surface element edge that is configured to communicate with, and form an extension of the other of the upper and lower control surfaces, wherein the first surface element edge is fixedly coupled to communicate with one of the upper and lower control surfaces, and the second surface element edge is coupled to communicate movably with the other of the upper and lower control surfaces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.