Patent ID: 8573534

Claim:
In a fluid foil having a trailing-edge flap, an actuation system for moving said flap, comprising: a fluidic pressure source a first fluidic artificial muscle (FAM) actuator mounted in said fluid foil and operatively coupled to said fluid pressure source; a second fluidic artificial muscle actuator mounted in said fluid foil and operatively coupled to said fluid pressure source; a first linkage coupled at a proximal end to said first FAM actuator and extending therefrom in a spanwise direction; a second linkage coupled at a first end to said second FAM actuator and extending therefrom in a spanwise direction; a bellcrank pivotally affixed within said fluid foil, said first linkage engaged at a distal end to a first moment arm of said bellcrank and said second linkage engaged at a distal end to a second moment arm of said bellcrank oppositional to said first linkage; and a transfer arm connected from a third moment arm of said bellcrank to said trailing-edge flap; whereby differential pressurization of said first FAM actuator and said second FAM actuator causes said flap to rotate in a first direction when the fluidic pressure in said first FAM actuator exceeds the fluidic pressure in said second FAM actuator and rotating in a second direction when the fluidic pressure in said second FAM actuator exceeds the fluidic pressure in said first FAM actuator.