Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-wxvwp Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-13T16:15:49.105Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Development of a proof–of–concept aircraft smart control system

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 February 2016

P. Hutapea,
K. Jacobs,
M. Harper,
E. Meyer and
B. Roth
P. Hutapea
Affiliation:
hutapea@temple.edu
K. Jacobs
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
M. Harper
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
E. Meyer
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
B. Roth
Affiliation:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.

Hutapea et al showed that an actuation system based on shape memory alloy coils could be employed for a wing flap of an aircraft. A continued research and development of these previously demonstrated smart flight control mechanisms was performed with the goal to develop a proof-of-concept shape memory alloy (SMA) actuation system, which utilises SMA springs to control the six degrees of freedom of an aircraft. For this actuation system, the springs are heated via an electric current, causing the spring to contract as the metal’s phase changes from martensite to austenite. The contraction allows the springs to function as linear actuators for the aircraft’s control surfaces, specifically the flaps and ailerons on the wings and horizontal stabilisers and a rudder on the tail. As a significant advancement to the overall actuation system, an air burst-cooling system increases the cooling rate of the coils by means of forced convection. Computer-based finite element model analysis and experimental testing were used to define and optimise SMA spring specifications for each individual control surface design. A onesixth scale proof-of-concept model of a Piper PA-28 Cherokee 160 aircraft was constructed to demonstrate and to verify the final actuation system design.

Information

Type
Technical Note
Information
The Aeronautical Journal , Volume 113 , Issue 1147 , September 2009, pp. 587 - 590
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Aeronautical Society 2009 

References

1. Hutapea, P., Kim, J., Guion, A., Hanna, C. and Heulitt, N., Development of a Smart Wing, Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, 2008, 80, (4), pp 439 – 444.Google Scholar
2. Waram, T., Actuator Design Using Shape Memory Alloys T. C. Waram, Ontario, Canada, 1993.Google Scholar
3. Patoor, E., Lagoudas, D.C., Entchev, P.B., Brinson, L.C. and Gao, X., Shape Memory Alloys, Part I: General Properties and Modeling of Single Crystals, Mechanics of Materials, 2004, 38, pp 391–429.Google Scholar
4. Nishiyama, Z., Martensitic Transformations, Academic Press, San Diego, CA, USA, 1978.Google Scholar
5. Kaufman, L and Cohen, M., Martensitic transformations, Progress in Metal Physics, 1958, 7, pp 165 – 246.Google Scholar
6. Hartl, D.J. and Lagoudas, D.J., Aerospace applications of shape memoryalloys, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part G – J Aerospace Engineering, 2007, 221, G4, pp 535 – 552.Google Scholar
7. Garcia, E., Smart structures and actuators: past, present, and future, Proceedings of SPIE, Smart Structures and Materials, 2002, pp 1–12, San Diego, CA, USA.Google Scholar
8. Sanders, B., Crowe, R. and Garcia, E., Defense advanced research project agency – smart materials and structures demonstration program Review, J Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2004, 15, pp 227–233.Google Scholar
9. Sanders, B., Cowan, D. and Scherer, L., Aerodynamic performance of the smart wing control effectors, J Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 2004, 15, (4), pp 293–303.Google Scholar
10. Paradies, R. and Ciresa, P., Active wing design with integrated flight control using Piezoelectric macro fiber composites, Smart Materials and Structures, 2009, 18, (3).Google Scholar
11. Epps, J.J. and Chopra, I., In-flight tracking of helicopter rotor blades using shape memory actuators, Smart Materials and Structures, 1999, 10, pp 104–111.Google Scholar
12. Solidworks, 2009, Dassault Systèmes SolidWorks Corp., www.solidworks.com Google Scholar
13. Huang, W. and Toh, W., Training two-way shape memory alloy by reheat treatment, J Materials Science Letters, 2000, 19, pp 1549–1550.Google Scholar
14. Huang, W. and Goh, H.B., On the long-term stability of two-way shape memory alloy trained by reheat treatment, J Materials Science Letters, 2001, 20, pp 1795–1797 Google Scholar