Patent ID: 6588709
Filing Date: 2003-07-08
Classification: B64C,B64D,F02C,F05D,Y02T,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for varying a wall skin to alter airflow over the skin, the apparatus comprising:first and second end-plates; a plurality of flexible rods arranged substantially parallel to substantially define a plane, each flexible rod having a mid-point and first and second ends, the first end being secured to the first end-plate and the second end being secured to the second end-plate; a first mounting structure slidingly attached to the plurality of flexible rods between the mid-point and the first end, proximate to the first end-plate; a second mounting structure slidingly attached to the plurality of flexible rods between the mid-point and the first outer end, proximate to the second end-plate; an elastomer enveloping the plurality of flexible rods between the first mounting structure and the second mounting structure and bonded to the first mounting structure and to the second mounting structure to form a flexible skin that has a first side and a second side; and a plurality of shape memory alloy rods, each of the shape memory alloy rods having an austenite and a martensite phase, the plurality of shape memory alloy rods being arranged substantially parallel to substantially define a plane, the shape memory alloy rods having a midpoint and a first end secured to the first end-plate and a second end secured to the second end-plate, the plurality of shape memory alloy rods being contractible when heated such that upon contraction the plurality of shape memory alloy rods will buckle the plurality of flexible rods and the flexible skin to alter airflow over the skin.