Title:
COMPLIANT STRUCTURE DESIGN FOR VARYING SURFACE CONTOURS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO2007145718
Kind Code:
A8
Abstract:
An edge morphing arrangement for an airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces is provided with a rib element arranged to overlie the edge of the airfoil. The rib element has first and second rib portions arranged to communicate with respectively associated ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the airfoil. A first compliant linkage element has first and second ends and is disposed between the first and second rib portions of the rib element, the first and second ends are each coupled to the interior of a respectively associated one of the first and second rib portions. 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 a selectable one of the first and second rib portions in the vicinity of the coupling of the respectively associated end of the first compliant linkage element. The second end is arranged to receive a morphing force, and the rib element is deformed in response to the morphing force. Multiple rib elements can be arranged substantially parallel to one another and configured to morph at respective operating ratios. Additionally, an overlying skin has a thickness that varies over the span.
Inventors:
HETRICK JOEL A (US)
ERVIN GREGORY F (US)
KOTA SRIDHAR NMN (US)
ERVIN GREGORY F (US)
KOTA SRIDHAR NMN (US)
Application Number:
PCT/US2007/010438
Publication Date:
March 20, 2008
Filing Date:
April 27, 2007
Export Citation:
Assignee:
FLEXSYS INC (US)
HETRICK JOEL A (US)
ERVIN GREGORY F (US)
KOTA SRIDHAR NMN (US)
HETRICK JOEL A (US)
ERVIN GREGORY F (US)
KOTA SRIDHAR NMN (US)
International Classes:
B64C3/14
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