초록 ▼

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has

Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for shape memory alloy weapon fairings. The shape memory alloy weapon fairings are formed from a shape memory alloy and are configured to change shape in response to temperature changes. At a first temperature, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing has a first shape and at a second temperature, the shape memory alloy has a second shape. Upon deployment of a weapon including the shape memory alloy weapon fairing, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is heated by the weapon and/or air friction. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing changes shape in response to the temperature change and provides a fairing for one or more structures of the weapon. In some implementations, the fairing covers a protuberance or other connection mechanism of the weapon.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An airborne structure for use with a connection mechanism to connect the airborne structure to a vehicle, the airborne structure comprising: a support surface between opposing ends of the airborne structure and adjacent the connection mechanism; anda shape memory alloy fairing disposed adjacent t

1. An airborne structure for use with a connection mechanism to connect the airborne structure to a vehicle, the airborne structure comprising: a support surface between opposing ends of the airborne structure and adjacent the connection mechanism; anda shape memory alloy fairing disposed adjacent to the support surface, the shape memory alloy fairing having a first shape at a first temperature conforming to the support surface and a second shape protruding perpendicular to the airflow at a second temperature that diverts airflow around the connection mechanism thereby reducing drag associated with the connection mechanism. 2. The airborne structure of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy fairing is formed from a shape memory alloy. 3. The airborne structure of claim 2, wherein the shape memory alloy comprises nitinol. 4. The airborne structure of claim 3, wherein the nitinol comprises binary nitinol. 5. The airborne structure of claim 4, wherein the binary nitinol comprises about fifty five percent by weight nickel. 6. The airborne structure of claim 4, wherein the second temperature is a transition temperature. 7. The airborne structure of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy fairing is attached to the support surface with a chemical adhesive. 8. The airborne structure of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy fairing is mechanically connected to the support surface. 9. The airborne structure of claim 1, wherein the shape memory alloy fairing is thermally bonded to the support surface. 10. The airborne structure of claim 1, wherein the airborne structure comprises a missile, and wherein the missile is configured for attachment to an aircraft. 11. A shape memory alloy weapon fairing for a connection mechanism to connect a weapon to a vehicle, the shape memory alloy weapon fairing comprising: a first shape at a first temperature exposing the connection mechanism to airflow and a second shape protruding from the weapon perpendicular to the airflow at a second temperature that diverts airflow around the connection mechanism thereby reducing drag associated with the connection mechanism. 12. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing of claim 11, wherein the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is formed from binary nitinol. 13. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing of claim 11, wherein the second temperature is a transition temperature, and wherein the transition temperature comprises a temperature within a range of about seventy degrees Celsius to about ninety degrees Celsius. 14. The shape memory alloy weapon fairing of claim 11, wherein the weapon comprises a missile. 15. A method for forming a shape memory alloy weapon fairing for a weapon, the method comprising: providing a shape memory alloy blank;deforming the blank into a pre-deployment configuration of the shape memory alloy weapon fairing;deforming the pre-deployment configuration to obtain a deployment configuration of the shape memory alloy weapon fairing protruding from the weapon perpendicular to the airflow;conforming the shape memory alloy weapon fairing to a weapon in the pre-deployment configuration;transitioning the shape memory alloy fairing into the deployment configuration; andin response to the transitioning step, diverting air around a connection mechanism coupled to the weapon. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the shape memory alloy weapon fairing blank is configured to provide a fairing for an attachment mechanism of the weapon when the shape memory alloy weapon fairing blank is heated to a transition temperature. 17. The method of claim 15, wherein deforming the shape memory alloy weapon fairing blank into the pre-deployment configuration comprises deforming the shape memory alloy weapon fairing blank using a tool and die. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein deforming the shape memory alloy weapon fairing blank into the pre-deployment configuration further comprises heat-treating the shape memory allow weapon fairing. 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the shape memory alloy weapon fairing is formed from a shape memory alloy. 20. A method for deploying an airborne structure with an aircraft, comprising: providing a pre-deformed shape memory alloy fairing having a first shape;conforming the shape memory alloy fairing to the exterior body and between opposing ends of the airborne structure;connecting the airborne structure to the aircraft with a connection mechanism while the shape memory alloy fairing is in the first shape; andtransitioning the shape memory allow fairing into a second shape to divert airflow around the connection mechanism protruding perpendicular to the airflow such that drag is reduced while the aircraft is airborne.