Patent ID: 8083179

Claim:
A method of altering an airfoil member on an aircraft comprising the steps of: providing an airfoil member altering system, having a single wing structure, the system comprising at least one motor or actuator, a system controller, a plurality of vehicle performance sensors, at least one temperature controller, and the airfoil member; said airfoil member comprising a geometric morphing device adjustable in size and/or shape; said geometric morphing device including a matrix material comprising a shape memory polymer, a high tensile strength fiber mesh embedded in the matrix material to form a fiber mesh-matrix material composite, and peripherally located bars inter-connected at their ends by a pivot, said fiber mesh-matrix material composite being attached to said bars; adjusting the temperature of the matrix material to a first temperature where the matrix material changes from a substantially rigid solid form to a deformable form with enhanced elasticity; activating the motor or actuator to move said peripherally located bars such that they pivot at their ends and adjust the shape of the wing structure in a minimum of two dimensions; and adjusting the temperature of the matrix material below the first temperature such that the matrix material hardens and maintains the geometric morphing device in the desired shape/size.