SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY-ACTUATED PROPELLER BLADES AND SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY-ACTUATED PROPELLER ASSEMBLIES

摘要

Shape memory alloy-actuated propeller blades and shape memory alloy-actuated propeller assemblies are disclosed. An example propeller blade includes a propeller body, a plate coupled to the propeller body, a torque transfer member, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The torque transfer member has a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member. The SMA actuator has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the SMA actuator is attached to the torque transfer member. The proximal end of the SMA actuator is coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body. The SMA actuator is configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the SMA actuator.

主权项

1. A propeller blade, comprising:
a propeller body; a plate coupled to the propeller body; a torque transfer member having a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member; and a shape memory alloy actuator having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator being attached to the torque transfer member, the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator being coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body, the shape memory alloy actuator being configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the shape memory alloy actuator.