Multi-layer metal/shape memory polymer roll-up wing structures for fitment-constrained air vehicles
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
B64C-003/20
B64C-003/56
출원번호
US-0463400
(2009-05-10)
등록번호
US-8528863
(2013-09-10)
발명자
/ 주소
Sanderson, Terry M.
Gowler, Brian J.
Sar, David R.
McCreery, Thomas P.
출원인 / 주소
Raytheon Company
대리인 / 주소
Gifford, Eric A.
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
1인용 특허 :
19
초록▼
A laminated wing structure includes at least one layer of metal material and at least one layer of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material. The SMP is heated to a temperature in its glass transition band Tg to roll the wing around the air vehicle into a stored position. The metal layer(s) must be thin
A laminated wing structure includes at least one layer of metal material and at least one layer of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material. The SMP is heated to a temperature in its glass transition band Tg to roll the wing around the air vehicle into a stored position. The metal layer(s) must be thin enough to remain below its yield point when rolled up. In preparation for launch, the SMP material is thermally activated allowing the strain energy stored in the layer of metal material to return the wing to its deployed position at launch. Once deployed, the SMP cools to its glassy state. The SMP material may be reinforced with fiber to form a polymer matrix composite (PMC). SMP may be used to provide shear strain relief for multiple metal layers. By offloading the motive force required to return the wing to its original deployed position from the SMP to the metal, the polymer does not acquire a permanent set and the wing may be deployed accurately.
대표청구항▼
1. A roll-up wing for an air vehicle, comprising: at least one layer of metal material;at least one layer of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material on said at least one layer of metal material, said SMP material characterized by a glass transition band Tg above which the SMP material is in an elastom
1. A roll-up wing for an air vehicle, comprising: at least one layer of metal material;at least one layer of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material on said at least one layer of metal material, said SMP material characterized by a glass transition band Tg above which the SMP material is in an elastomeric state and below which the material is in a glassy state;a first means for heating the SMP material to a temperature in the glass transition band Tg to roll the wing around the air vehicle to a stored position, said SMP material cooling to transition to its glassy state while in the stored position; andsecond means for heating the SMP material to a temperature in or above the glass transition band Tg allowing strain energy stored in the layer of metal material to return the wing to a deployed position. 2. The roll-up wing of claim 1, wherein once the wing returns to the deployed position the SMP material cools and transitions to its glassy state. 3. The roll-up wing of claim 1, wherein each of said at least one layer of metal material has a thickness less than the yield point for the radius of curvature in the stored position, said at least one layer of SMP material storing insufficient strain energy to return the wing to its deployed position or to acquire a permanent set over a specified lifetime that would prevent the wing from returning to its deployed position. 4. The roll-up wing of claim 1, wherein neither the at least one layer of metal material nor the at least one layer of SMP has a stiffness at least equal to a specified minimum stiffness, said layers of metal and SMP together having a stiffness at least equal to the specified minimum stiffness. 5. The roll-up wing of claim 1, wherein at least one said layer of SMP is reinforced with fiber to form a layer of polymer matrix composite (PMC). 6. The roll-up wing of claim 1, wherein a plurality of layers of metal material are separated by at least one said layer of SMP, said SMP providing shear strain relief between said layers of metal. 7. The roll-up wing, of claim 1. further comprising a mechanism that holds the wing in the stored position, said mechanism being released to allow the strain energy in the at least one layer of metal material to return the wing to its deployed position. 8. The roll-up wing for of claim 1, wherein said first and second means tor heating comprise the same said means, 9. The roll-up wing of claim 8, wherein said means for heating comprises resistive elements embedded in the SMP material and a power source for supplying power to the resistive elements to resistively heat the SMP material. 10. The roll-up wing of claim 1, wherein the at least one layer of SMP has a memorized shape corresponding to the deployed position of the wing. 11. A roll-up wing for an air vehicle, comprising: at least one layer of metal material;at least one layer of a polymer matrix composite (PMC) including a shape memory polymer (SMP) matrix and fiber reinforcement in said matrix; anda thermal activation unit configured to heat the SMP matrix to a temperature in its glass transition band Tg to roll the wing around the air vehicle to a stored position in which the at least one layer of metal stores strain energy and to heat the SMP material to a temperature in or above its glass transition band Tg allowing the strain energy stored in the at least one layer of metal material to return the wing to a deployed position. 12. The toll-up wing of claim 11, wherein said at least one layer of PMC in the deployed position has stiffness at least equal to a specified minimum stiffness for the wing. 13. The roll-up wing of claim 11, wherein the fiber reinforcement is oriented in the SMP matrix so that the fibers are deformed in a radius of curvature with the SMP matrix when rolled around the air vehicle. 14. A roll-up wing for an air vehicle, comprising: at least one layer of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material;a plurality of layers of metal material separated by said at least one layer of SMP material;a thermal activation unit configured to heat the SMP material to a temperature in its glass transition band Tg to roll the wing around the air vehicle to a stored position in which the layers of metal stores strain energy and to heat the SMP material to a temperature in or above its glass transition band Tg allowing the strain energy stored in the layers of metal material to return the wing to a deployed position. 15. The roll-up wing of claim 14, wherein said plurality of layers of metal material in the deployed position together have a stiffness at least equal to a specified minimum stiffness for the wing. 16. A method of packaging, storing and deploying a roll-up wing for an air vehicle, comprising: providing a wing in a deployed position from an air vehicle, said wing including a laminate of at least one layer of metal material and at least one layer of a shape memory polymer (SMP) material, said SMP characterized by a glass transition band Tg above which the SMP material is in an elastomeric state and below which the material is in a glassy state;heating the SMP material to a temperature in its glass transition band Tg;with the SMP material in its glass transition band, rolling the wing from the deployed position around the air vehicle into a stored position;allowing the wing to cool whereby the SNIP material transitions to its glassy state for storage; andheating the SMP material to a temperature in or above its glass transition band Tg whereby at launch strain energy stored in the rolled up layer of metal material unrolls the wing to its deployed position. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: once deployed, allowing the SMP material to cool and transition to its glassy state. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the SMP material is reinforced with fiber to form a polymer matrix composite (PMC). 19. The method of claim 17, wherein multiple layers of metal material are separated by said at least one layer of SMP. 20. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one layer of SMP has a memorized shape corresponding to the deployed position of the wing.
Sanderson, Terry M., Method of manufacture of one-piece composite parts using a two-piece form including a shaped polymer that does not draw with a rigid insert designed to draw.
Sanderson, Terry M., Method of manufacture of one-piece composite parts with a polymer form that transitions between its glassy and elastomeric states.
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