Compliant structure design for varying surface contours

摘要

An edge morphing arrangement for an airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces is provided with an elongated edge portion that overlies the edge of the airfoil, the edge portion having a surface element having first and second edges that communicate with, and form extensions of, respective ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the elongated airfoil. The surface elements are formed of deformable compliant material that extends cross-sectionally from the first surface element edge to an apex of the edge portion, and to the second surface element edge. There is additionally provided a driving link having first and second driving link ends, the first driving link end being coupled to the interior of one of the first and second rib portions. The second end is arranged to receive a morphing force, and the rib element is deformed in response to the morphing force.

主权项

1. An edge morphing arrangement for an elongated airfoil having upper and lower control surfaces, the elongated airfoil edge morphing arrangement comprising:
a monolithic and self-supporting elongated edge portion arranged to overlie the edge of the elongated airfoil parallel to a longitudinal axis of the elongated airfoil, said monolithic and self-supporting elongated edge portion having a substantially continuous surface element having first and second surface element edges that are arranged to communicate with, and to form extensions of, respectively associated ones of the upper and lower control surfaces of the elongated airfoil, the substantially continuous surface element being formed of a deformable compliant material that extends cross-sectionally from the first surface element edge that is configured to communicate with, and form an extension of, one of the upper and lower control surfaces, to an apex of said monolithic and self-supporting edge portion, and to the second surface element edge that is configured to communicate with, and form an extension of the other of the upper and lower control surfaces, wherein one of the first and second surface element edges is fixedly coupled to one the upper and lower control surfaces, and other of the first and second surface element edges is coupled movably to the other of the upper and lower control surfaces; and an actuation linkage element coupled to an interior surface of the substantially continuous surface element.