Title: Analysis of smart wing using shape memory alloy

Authors: M. Senthilkumar

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, PSG College of Technology, Coimbatore 641 004, India

Abstract: The unique thermal and mechanical properties exhibited by shape memory alloys (SMA) present exciting design possibilities in the field of aerospace engineering. When properly trained, SMA wires act as linear actuators which can be used to deflect the flap and control the flap angle in the wings of aircraft. In this paper, the aerodynamic characteristics of the airfoil structures are investigated on the following models using SMA wire actuator. 1) SMA controlled plain flap airfoil structure; 2) SMA controlled split flap airfoil structure. The primary objective is to design a simple high lift device using shape memory actuator in order to increase the lift force acting on the airfoil structure at specific air velocity and various angles of attack.

Keywords: plain flaps; split flaps; shape memory alloys; SMAs; angle of attack; high lift device; smart wings; aerospace engineering; airfoils; lift force; air velocity; areodynamics; linear actuators.

DOI: 10.1504/IJAD.2012.046548

International Journal of Aerodynamics, 2012 Vol.2 No.1, pp.22 - 35

Received: 06 Aug 2011
Accepted: 27 Dec 2011
Published online: 30 Oct 2014 *

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