摘要:
Manufacturing a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with a first load fitting comprising the steps of braiding a first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material around a soluble, expandable mandrel. A first load fitting is positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material. A second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material is braided around the first load fitting and the mandrel so as to form an overbraided mandrel embedded with the first load fitting. The overbraided mandrel is installed into a matched tooling assembly and heated at a specified heating profile in order to consolidate the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material and the second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material with the first load fitting so as to form a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with the first load fitting. A second load fitting may be positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material.
摘要:
A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuated aerostructure operable to dynamically change shape according to flight conditions is disclosed. Deformable structures are actuated by SMA actuators that are coupled to face sheets of the deformable structures. Actuating the SMA actuators produces complex shape changes of the deformable structures by activating shape changes of the SMA actuators. The SMA actuators are actuated via an active or passive temperature change based on operating conditions. The SMA actuated aerostructure can be used for morphable nozzles such as a variable area fan nozzle and/or a variable geometry chevron of a jet engine to reduce engine noise during takeoff without degrading fuel burn during cruise.
摘要:
A method of bonding materials may comprise defining a bond interface between two materials in a cure zone on a surface of an object, and non-conductively heating the bond interface without directly heating the surface outside of the cure zone. Non-conductively heating the bond interface may involve applying microwave radiation to the bond interface.
摘要:
A system for heating a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator may include an SMA actuator, a smart susceptor, a plurality of induction coils, and a control module. The SMA actuator may have at least one layup. The SMA actuator may be selectively heated to a transition temperature. The smart susceptor may be in thermal contact with the at least one layup of the SMA actuator. The induction heating coils may be configured to receive an alternating current and generate a magnetic field based on the alternating current. The magnetic field may create an eddy current in at least one of the SMA actuator and the smart susceptor to heat the SMA actuator to the transition temperature. The control module may be configured to drive the alternating current supplied to the induction heating coils.
摘要:
In one or more aspects of the present disclosure, a mandrel is disclosed. The mandrel having a shape memory alloy (SMA) shell having a longitudinal axis, an interior extending along the longitudinal axis and an exterior contour, the SMA shell being configured to interface with a structure to be cured, and at least one SMA actuation member disposed within the interior and connected to the SMA shell, where the at least one SMA actuation member is configured to exert pressure against the SMA shell effecting an interface pressure between the exterior contour of the SMA shell and the structure to be cured where the exterior contour has a predetermined actuated shape that corresponds to a predetermined cured shape of the structure to be cured.
摘要:
Manufacturing a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with a first load fitting comprising the steps of braiding a first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material around a soluble, expandable mandrel. A first load fitting is positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material. A second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material is braided around the first load fitting and the mandrel so as to form an overbraided mandrel embedded with the first load fitting. The overbraided mandrel is installed into a matched tooling assembly and heated at a specified heating profile in order to consolidate the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material and the second plurality of outer layers of thermoplastic composite material with the first load fitting so as to form a thermoplastic composite tubular structure embedded with the first load fitting. A second load fitting may be positioned on the first plurality of inner layers of thermoplastic composite material.
摘要:
Provided are assemblies having composite structures interlocked with shape memory alloy structures and methods of fabricating such assemblies. Interlocking may involve inserting an interlocking protrusion of a shape memory alloy structure into an interlocking opening of a composite structure and heating at least this protrusion of the shape memory alloy structure to activate the alloy and change the shape of the protrusion. This shape change engages the protrusion in the opening such that the protrusion cannot be removed from the opening. The shape memory alloy structure may be specifically trained prior to forming an assembly using a combination of thermal cycling and deformation to achieve specific pre-activation and post-activation shapes. The pre-activation shape allows inserting the interlocking protrusion into the opening, while the post-activation shape engages the interlocking protrusion within the opening. As such, activation of the shape memory alloy interlocks the two structures.
摘要:
Described herein is an apparatus for controlling an actuator made from a shape-memory alloy includes a first layer made from a thermally conductive material and a second layer. The second layer is made from a thermally conductive material. The apparatus also includes at least one thermoelectric heater positioned between the first and second layers. Additionally, the apparatus includes at least one thermoelectric cooler positioned between the first and second layers.
摘要:
Systems and processes that integrate thermoplastic and shape memory alloy materials to form an adaptive composite structure capable of changing its shape. For example, the adaptive composite structure may be designed to serve as a multifunctional adaptive wing flight control surface. Other applications for such adaptive composite structures include in variable area fan nozzles, winglets, fairings, elevators, rudders, or other aircraft components having an aerodynamic surface whose shape is preferably controllable. The material systems can be integrated by means of overbraiding (interwoven) with tows of both thermoplastic and shape memory alloy materials or separate layers of each material can be consolidated (e.g., using induction heating) to make a flight control surface that does not require separate actuation.
摘要:
A composite structure curing system employs a plurality of heaters mounted in at least one array in spaced proximity to a composite structure to be cured. A plurality of temperature sensors are mounted to sense temperature at selected locations on the structure. A control system receives an input from each of the plurality of temperature sensors and is adapted to control each of the plurality of heaters responsive to each input to establish a predetermined temperature profile on the structure during cure.