MECHANISM FOR CHANGING THE SHAPE OF A CONTROL SURFACE

• US 20100224734A1
• Filed: 03/05/2009
• Published: 09/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Grip, Robert Erik
• Granted Patent: US 8,056,865 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 244/219
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/48 by relatively-movable parts of wing structures
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 9/16 at the rear of the wing

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a structure having a first side, a second side substantially opposite to the first side, a flexible skin, and a plurality of deformable assemblies. The flexible skin is attached to the first side and the second side of the structure. The plurality of deformable assemblies is moveably connected to the structure, in which each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex and a base. The each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the structure and a shape of the flexible skin.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a structure having a first side and a second side substantially opposite to the first side;

a flexible skin attached to the first side and the second side of the structure; and

a plurality of deformable assemblies moveably connected to the structure, in which each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex and a base, wherein the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the structure and a shape of the flexible skin.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a motion generation system capable of moving the vertex of the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies to change the height of the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies to change the shape of the structure and the shape of the flexible skin attached to the structure.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the structure has a plurality of bays and a tip section and wherein a number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies are located in each of the plurality of bays.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the each of the plurality of bays has a diagonal length, wherein the diagonal length changes as the height of the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies changes.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the each of the plurality of bays has a quadrilateral shape, wherein the quadrilateral shape changes as a diagonal length for the quadrilateral shape changes.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of deformable assemblies is moveably connected to the structure

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure includes a truss.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a base of the structure is moveably attached to a frame of a part.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the part is selected from one of a wing, a horizontal stabilizer, and a vertical stabilizer.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the structure further comprises:

a spar, wherein the spar is moveably connected to a frame of the part.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a number of stiffening elements at a number of locations on the flexible skin, wherein the number of stiffening elements is capable of stiffening the flexible skin in a spanwise direction at the number of locations.

12. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motion generation system further comprises:

a primary actuator, wherein the primary actuator is capable of rotating the structure about an axis.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the structure has a spar moveably attached to a frame of a part at hinge points on the spar and wherein the hinge points are aligned to form the axis.

14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motion generating system further comprises:

a horizontal actuator system, wherein the horizontal actuator system comprises a number of horizontal actuators capable of changing the height of the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies in the plurality of bays to change the shape of the structure.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of the number of horizontal actuators is connected to a first vertex of a first deformable assembly in a first number of deformable assemblies connected to a first end of the structure and a second vertex of a second deformable assembly in a second number of deformable assemblies connected to a second end of the structure.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a length of the each of the number of horizontal actuators changes to move the first vertex of the first deformable assembly connected to the first end of the structure and the second vertex of the second deformable assembly connected to the second end of the structure to change the height of the plurality of deformable assemblies.

17. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the motion generation system is connected to a first vertex of a first deformable assembly in a first bay of the plurality of bays and a second vertex of a second deformable assembly in the first bay and wherein a first number of the plurality of deformable assemblies has a first number of vertices linked in series to the first vertex and wherein a second number of the plurality of deformable assemblies has a second number of vertices linked in series to the second vertex.

18. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein an actuator in the motion generation system is connected to a first vertex of a first deformable assembly in a first bay of the plurality of bays and a second vertex of a second deformable assembly in the first bay and further comprises:

a connector system capable of connecting the first vertex of the first deformable assembly in the first bay to a first number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies in the plurality of bays; and

connecting the second vertex of the second deformable assembly connected in the first bay to a second number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies in the plurality of bays.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the actuator moves the first vertex of the first deformable assembly in the first bay and the second vertex of the second deformable assembly in the first bay to change a first height of the first deformable assembly and a second height of the second deformable assembly.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a change in the first height of the first deformable assembly and the second height of the second deformable assembly in the first bay causes the connector system to change heights of deformable assemblies in other bays in the plurality of bays to change the shape of the structure.

21. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the motion generation system comprises a primary actuator connected to the structure, wherein the primary actuator is connected to a base of the structure and capable of rotating the structure about an axis and further comprising:

a linking system connected to the base of the structure and the connector system, wherein the primary actuator changes the shape of the structure when rotating the structure about the axis.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the linking system comprises:

a polyhedron structure connected to the base of the structure and to a connector system capable of connecting the first vertex of the first deformable assembly in the first bay to the first number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies in the plurality of bays; and

connecting the second vertex of the second deformable assembly connected in the first bay to the second number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies in the plurality of bays.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the linking system further comprises:

a first member connected to the polyhedron structure and the connector system; and

a second member connected to the polyhedron structure and the base of the structure.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the connector system comprises:

a plurality of connection structures connected to the plurality of deformable assemblies, wherein each connection structure in the plurality of connection structures has a vertex and a plurality of members extending from the vertex to an associated deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein a first member of the plurality of members in the each connection structure is connected to the vertex of the associated deformable assembly and a number of other members in the plurality of members is connected to the base of the associated deformable assembly.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shape of the structure is selected from one of a straight shape and a curved shape.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is one of a flap, an aileron, a rudder, an elevator, an elevon, a ruddevator, a spoiler, an air brake, and a thrust reverser.

28. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a trailing edge control surface.

29. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

a vehicle, wherein the structure, the flexible skin, and the plurality of deformable assemblies form a control surface and wherein the control surface is attached to and located in the vehicle.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the vehicle is selected from one of a mobile platform, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a submarine, a bus, and an automobile.

31. An apparatus comprising:

a structure having a first side and a second side substantially opposite to the first side;

a plurality of bays located within the structure;

a flexible skin attached to the first side and the second side of the structure;

a plurality of deformable assemblies moveably connected to the structure, in which each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex and a base, wherein the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the structure and a shape of the flexible skin;

a plurality of connection structures connected to the plurality of deformable assemblies, wherein each connection structure in the plurality of connection structures has a vertex and a plurality of members extending from the vertex to an associated deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies, and wherein a first member of the plurality of members is connected to the vertex of the associated deformable assembly and a number of other members in the plurality of members are connected to a base of the associated deformable assembly; and

an actuator system connected to a first vertex of a first deformable assembly in a first bay of the plurality of bays and a second vertex of a second deformable assembly in the first bay, wherein a first number of the plurality of deformable assemblies has a first number of vertices linked in series to the first vertex, wherein a second number of the plurality of deformable assemblies has a second number of vertices linked in series to the second vertex, and wherein the actuator system is capable of moving the first vertex and the second vertex to change the shape of the structure and the shape of the flexible skin attached to the structure.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the actuator system comprises an actuator connected to the first vertex and the second vertex.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein movement of the first vertex and the second vertex causes heights for vertices of the plurality of deformable assemblies to change such that the plurality of bays change shape to change the shape of the structure and the shape of the flexible skin attached to the structure.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the shape of the structure and the shape of the flexible skin changes by bending.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the shape bends from around 0 degrees to around 60 degrees.

36. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising:

a number of stiffening elements at a number of locations on the flexible skin, wherein the number of stiffening elements are capable of stiffening the flexible skin in a spanwise direction at the number of locations.

37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the structure has a base and a tip, wherein the base is rotatably connected to a frame of a vehicle, and wherein the actuator system is capable of rotating the structure while changing the shape of the structure.

38. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the shape of the structure is selected from one of a straight shape and a curved shape.

39. The apparatus of claim 31 further comprising:

a vehicle, wherein the structure is connected to the vehicle and forms a control surface.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the vehicle is selected from one of a mobile platform, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a submarine, a bus, and an automobile.

41. An apparatus comprising:

a structure having a first side, a second side substantially opposite to the first side, and a base rotatably connected to a frame;

a plurality of bays located within the structure;

a flexible skin attached to the first side and the second side of the structure;

a plurality of deformable assemblies moveably connected to the structure, in which each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex, and a base, wherein the vertex has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the structure and a shape of the flexible skin;

a plurality of connection structures connected to the plurality of deformable assemblies, wherein each connection structure in the plurality of connection structures has a vertex and a plurality of members extending from the vertex to an associated deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies, wherein a first member of the plurality of members is connected to the vertex of the associated deformable assembly and a number of other members in the plurality of members is connected to a base of the associated deformable assembly and wherein vertices in a number of connection structures in the plurality of connection structures are connected in series to each other;

a polyhedron structure having a first vertex and a second vertex forming an edge of the polyhedron structure;

a first elongate member extending from a third vertex of the polyhedron structure to the base of the structure; and

a second elongate member extending from a fourth vertex to a first vertex in a first connection structure in the number of connection structures; and

an actuator connected to the base of the structure, wherein the actuator is capable of moving the base to rotate the structure, and wherein movement of the base is capable of causing the polyhedron structure to move the first vertex in the first connection structure such that the vertex of the associated deformable assembly changes height to change the shape of the structure and the shape of the flexible skin attached to the structure.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the shape of the structure and the shape of the flexible skin changes by bending.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the shape bends at an angle.

44. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising:

a number of stiffening elements at a number of locations on the flexible skin, wherein the number of stiffening elements are capable of stiffening the flexible skin in a spanwise direction at the number of locations.

45. The apparatus of claim 41 further comprising:

a vehicle, wherein the structure is connected to the vehicle and forms a control surface.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the vehicle is selected from one of a mobile platform, an aircraft, a surface ship, a tank, a personnel carrier, a train, a spacecraft, a submarine, a bus, and an automobile.

47. An apparatus comprising:

a structure, wherein the structure has a base rotatably attached to a frame;

a flexible skin attached to the structure;

an array of bays in the structure having a quadrilateral shape and capable of changing shape; and

a plurality of diagonal members connected to corners in the array of bays and wherein the plurality of diagonal members is capable of changing a length in connection with each other to change the quadrilateral shape of the array of bays to change a shape of the structure and wherein one of the plurality of diagonal members is capable of rotating the structure with a control surface about the frame.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the frame is located in a wing of an aircraft and the flexible skin and the structure form a flap for the aircraft.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the plurality of diagonal members is a plurality of linear actuators.

50. A method for controlling a control surface, the method comprising:

identifying a desired shape for the control surface comprising a structure having a first side and a second side substantially opposite to the first side;

a flexible skin attached to the first side and the second side of the structure; and

a plurality of deformable assemblies moveably connected to the structure, wherein each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a vertex and a base, and wherein the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies has a height that is capable of changing to change a shape of the control surface; and

activating a motion generation system connected to the vertex to move the vertex to change the height of a number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies to change the shape of the control surface to the desired shape.

51. The method of claim 50, wherein the structure has a plurality of bays and a tip section and wherein a number of deformable assemblies in the plurality of deformable assemblies are located in each of the plurality of bays.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the each of the plurality of bays has a diagonal length, wherein the diagonal length changes as the height of the each deformable assembly in the plurality of deformable assemblies changes.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the each of the plurality of bays has a quadrilateral shape, wherein the quadrilateral shape changes as a diagonal length for the quadrilateral shape changes.

54. The method of claim 50, wherein the plurality of deformable assemblies is moveably connected to the structure.

55. The method of claim 50, wherein the structure includes a truss.

56. The method of claim 50, wherein a base of the structure is moveably attached to a frame of a part.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the part is selected from one of a wing, a horizontal stabilizer, and a vertical stabilizer.

58. The method of claim 56, wherein the structure further comprises:

a spar, wherein the spar is moveably connected to the frame of the part.

59. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

a number of stiffening elements at a number of locations on the flexible skin, wherein the number of stiffening elements is capable of stiffening the flexible skin in a spanwise direction at the number of locations.

60. The method of claim 50, wherein the activating step further comprises:

rotating the control surface.