An investigation of shape memory alloys as actuating elements in aerospace morphing applications

Two innovative actuating concepts for aerospace morphing applications, based on shape memory alloys (SMAs), are proposed. The first concept investigates a composite plate incorporating embedded SMA wires. A nonlinear auto regressive with exogenous excitation model is proposed for controlling single-cycle/multi-cycle loading conditions of the SMA wires. The second actuating concept studies a novel rib configuration, which incorporates a compliant mechanism for enabling aerofoil's leading edge morphing. Different rib-compliant mechanism concepts are designed and analyzed. The most efficient rib concept is experimentally characterized. The experimental results from both actuating concepts showed good agreement with the respective numerical.