Shape-Changing Control Surface

• US 20110017876A1
• Filed: 07/21/2009
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Manley, David J., Grip, Robert E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,382,045 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

A method and apparatus for controlling the shape of a control surface. A structure is rotated about an axis. The structure is located between a flexible skin and a skin located substantially opposite of the flexible skin. An assembly is moved to change the shape of the control surface in response to a rotation of the structure. The assembly is movably connected to the structure and is configured to move such that the flexible skin forms a plurality of curvatures.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a flexible skin;

a skin associated with the flexible skin and located substantially opposite of the flexible skin;

a structure located between the flexible skin and the skin; and

an assembly, wherein the assembly is movably connected to the structure and is configured to move such that the flexible skin changes between a plurality of curvatures.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the flexible skin, the skin, the structure, and the assembly form a control surface.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the control surface is selected from one of a flap, a rudder, and an elevator.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a first number of hinge points located on the structure, wherein the structure is configured to move around an axis through the first number of hinge points.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a second number of hinge points located on the structure, wherein the assembly is movably connected to the second number of hinge points and is configured to move such that the flexible skin changes between the plurality of curvatures in response to movement of the structure around the axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the assembly comprises:

a plurality of rigid structures movably connected to the second number of hinge points located on the structure, wherein the plurality of rigid structures is connected in series to a number of fixed points.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the assembly further comprises:

a first plurality of connecting members movably connected to the plurality of rigid structures and connecting the plurality of rigid structures in series to the number of fixed points.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the assembly further comprises:

a second plurality of connecting members having first ends movably connected to the plurality of rigid structures and second ends connected to the flexible skin.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising:

a number of actuators connected to the structure, wherein the number of actuators is configured to move the structure around the axis.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein changes in the flexible skin between the plurality of curvatures change a degree of flow turning.

11. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein movement of the structure around the axis and wherein changes in the flexible skin between the plurality of curvatures both change a degree of flow turning.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein movement of the structure around the axis causes a first portion of change in the degree of flow turning, and wherein changes in the flexible skin between the plurality of curvatures cause a second portion of change in the degree of flow turning.

13. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising:

a sliding joint located around a base of the control surface, wherein the sliding joint is configured to allow a surface of the flexible skin to slide relative to a surface of the skin.

14. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the structure further comprises:

a number of ribs, wherein the plurality of rigid structures is connected to the number of ribs at the second number of hinge points.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the structure is connected to the skin and the flexible skin.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the skin is comprised of a material selected from at least one of aluminum, titanium, and a composite material.

17. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the plurality of rigid structures is a plurality of linkages capable of rotating about the second number of hinge points.

18. A method for controlling a shape of a control surface comprising:

rotating a structure about an axis, wherein the structure is located between a flexible skin and a skin located substantially opposite of the flexible skin; and

moving an assembly to change the shape of the control surface in response to a rotation of the structure, wherein the assembly is movably connected to the structure, and wherein the assembly is configured to move such that the flexible skin forms a plurality of curvatures.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of rotating the structure about the axis further comprises:

rotating the structure about the axis using a number of actuators, wherein the axis extends through a first number of hinge points located on the structure.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of moving the assembly to change the shape of the control surface further comprises:

moving a plurality of rigid structures around a second number of hinge points located on the structure such that the assembly changes the shape of the control surface, wherein the plurality of rigid structures is connected to the structure at the second number of hinge points and to a first plurality of connecting members, and the first plurality of connecting members connect the plurality of rigid structures in series to a number of fixed points.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of moving the assembly to change the shape of the control surface further comprises:

moving a second plurality of connecting members in response to movement of the plurality of rigid structures to change the flexible skin between the plurality of curvatures to change the shape of the control surface, wherein the second plurality of connecting members has first ends movably connected to the plurality of rigid structures and second ends connected to the flexible skin.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein a change in the shape of the control surface causes a change in a degree of flow turning.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the rotation of the structure around the axis causes a first portion of the change in the degree of flow turning and wherein changes in the flexible skin between the plurality of curvatures causes a second portion of the change in the degree of flow turning.