In one embodiment, the disclosed vortex generator may include a flap, a bearing configured to be mounted on a surface, an axle retained in the bearing, the flap attached to the axle such that the flap rotates relative to the bearing about the axle, and an actuator made of a shape memory alloy attach
In one embodiment, the disclosed vortex generator may include a flap, a bearing configured to be mounted on a surface, an axle retained in the bearing, the flap attached to the axle such that the flap rotates relative to the bearing about the axle, and an actuator made of a shape memory alloy attached to the flap and to a support, the actuator shaped to receive the axle therethrough, such that a change in temperature of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate the flap relative to the bearing.
대표청구항▼
1. A vortex generator comprising: a flap;a first bearing and a second bearing, each configured to be mounted on a surface;an axle rotatably retained in the first bearing and the second bearing, the flap fixed to the axle such that the flap rotates relative to the first bearing and the second bearing
1. A vortex generator comprising: a flap;a first bearing and a second bearing, each configured to be mounted on a surface;an axle rotatably retained in the first bearing and the second bearing, the flap fixed to the axle such that the flap rotates relative to the first bearing and the second bearing with the axle; andan actuator extending between the first bearing and the second bearing, the actuator made of a shape memory alloy fixed to the axle at a first end adjacent the first bearing, and fixed at a second, opposite end to the second bearing, the actuator having a central bore receiving the axle therein at the first end and at the second end, such that a change in temperature of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate the axle adjacent the first end relative to the first bearing and the second bearing, thereby rotating the flap relative to the first bearing and the second bearing. 2. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the flap relative to the bearing from a stowed position, wherein the flap is parallel to the surface, to a deployed position, in which the flap is not parallel to the surface, in response to one of an increase in a temperature of the actuator and a decrease in the temperature of the actuator, and from the deployed position to the stowed position in response to one of a decrease in the temperature of the actuator and an increase in the temperature of the actuator, respectively. 3. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the flap includes a forward sleeve shaped to receive a forward portion of the axle, and a rearward sleeve shaped to receive a rearward portion of the axle. 4. The vortex generator of claim 3, wherein the actuator is configured to engage the forward sleeve such that rotational motion of the actuator is transmitted to the flap through the sleeve. 5. The vortex generator of claim 3, wherein the actuator and the forward sleeve are fixed to the forward portion of the axle such that rotational motion of the actuator is transmitted to the forward sleeve through the forward portion of the axle. 6. The vortex generator of claim 3, wherein the rearward sleeve is fixed to the rearward portion of the axle. 7. The vortex generator of claim 3, wherein the first bearing and the second bearing include a first journal bearing and a second journal bearing, respectively, and the actuator is attached to the second journal bearing. 8. The vortex generator of claim 7, further comprising a stop configured to prevent rotation of the flap past a preset position relative to the surface. 9. The vortex generator of claim 8, wherein the stop is formed by engagement of the forward sleeve with the first journal bearing. 10. The vortex generator of claim 9, wherein the stop includes a first bearing surface formed on the forward sleeve, and a second bearing surface formed on the bearing, such that engagement of the first bearing surface and second bearing surface prevents rotation of the flap past the preset position. 11. The vortex generator of claim 8, wherein the preset position positions the flap perpendicular to the surface. 12. The vortex generator of claim 8, wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the flap between a stowed position, in which the flap is parallel to the surface, and the preset position in response to an increase in temperature of the actuator from one of ambient temperature and a heating device, and to rotate the flap between the preset position to the stowed position in response to a decrease in temperature of the actuator. 13. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a sleeve having a central bore shaped to receive the axle therethrough. 14. The vortex generator of claim 13, wherein the first bearing and the second bearing include a forward bearing and a rearward bearing, respectively; and the rearward bearing is attached to the actuator. 15. The vortex generator of claim 14, wherein the actuator extends between the forward bearing and the rearward bearing. 16. The vortex generator of claim 15, wherein the forward bearing and the rearward bearing are journal bearings attached to the surface. 17. The vortex generator of claim 1, wherein the surface includes a frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle. 18. The vortex generator of claim 17, wherein the vehicle is one of an aircraft, a spacecraft, a land vehicle and a marine vehicle. 19. A vortex generator comprising: a frame configured to be mounted on an aerodynamic surface;a forward bearing mounted on the frame;a rearward bearing mounted on the frame;an axle rotatably attached to the forward and rearward bearings;a flap having a leading edge and a trailing edge, the flap including a forward sleeve attached to the axle and a rearward sleeve attached to the axle such that the flap rotates with the axle relative to the forward and rearward bearings; andan actuator extending between the forward bearing and the rearward bearing, the actuator made of a shape memory alloy and receiving the axle in a central bore of the actuator, the actuator being attached at a first end thereof to the axle adjacent the forward bearing, and at an opposite end thereof to the rearward bearing, such that a change in temperature of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate the axle, thereby rotating the flap from a stowed position, wherein the flap is parallel to the frame, to a deployed position, wherein the flap is not parallel to the frame, and an opposite change in temperature of the actuator causes the actuator to rotate the flap from the deployed position to the stowed position. 20. A method for deploying a vortex generator including a flap, the method comprising: mounting a first bearing and a second bearing on an aerodynamic surface;inserting an axle into the first bearing and into the second bearing and attaching the axle to the flap such that the flap rotates relative to the first bearing and to the second bearing with the axle;placing an actuator made of a shape memory alloy between the first bearing and the second bearing, inserting the axle into a central bore of the actuator and attaching a first end of the actuator to the axle, and attaching a second end of the actuator to the second bearing; andelevating the aerodynamic surface to an altitude wherein a temperature of the actuator decreases so that the actuator rotates the axle to rotate the flap to one of a parallel position relative to the aerodynamic surface and a non-parallel position relative to the aerodynamic surface.
연구과제 타임라인
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
LOADING...
이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Mabe, James H.; Calkins, Frederick T.; Bushnell, Glenn S.; Bieniawski, Stefan R., Aircraft systems with shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators, and associated methods.
Anjuri, EswaraRao V S J; Nanukuttan, Biju; Loganathan, Jaikumar; Herr, Stefan, Vortex generator assembly for use with a wind turbine rotor blade and method for assembling a wind turbine rotor blade.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.