Patent ID: 7587899

Claim:
An assembly utilizing shape memory alloy actuators to control the opening area of an adaptive exhaust nozzle for jet engines, comprising a plurality of moveable leaves for movement from a first open nozzle position to a second constricted nozzle position, a linkage attached to each of said leaves connected to a synchronizing element, a plurality of shape memory actuators attached to said synchronizing element, and controlled actuation signals for said shape memory alloy actuators wherein actuation signals trigger said actuators to act upon said synchronizing element to coordinate the simultaneous movement of said linkages and said leaves selectively from open to closed and from closed to open wherein each of said shape memory actuators comprises wire of shape memory alloy running through an arrangement of a moveable pulley and a set of fixed pulleys, a connecting rod attached to each moveable pulley on a first end and to said synchronizing element on said second end, and a spring attached to said moveable pulley to bias said assembly toward an open nozzle configuration.