Shape Memory Alloy Flight Control Surfaces Navy STTR FY2005 Sol No.: Navy STTR FY2005 Topic No.: N05-T014 Topic Title: Shape Memory Alloy Flight Control Surfaces Proposal No.: N054-014-0011 Firm: Nielsen Engineering & Research, Inc. 605 Ellis Street, Suite 200 Mountain View, California 94043-2241 Contact: John Love Phone: (650) 968-9457 Web Site: www.nearinc.com Abstract: Nielsen Engineering & Research (NEAR) and The University of Kansas Center for Research (KUCR) propose the development of an innovative integral control surface and actuator system which can be used to achieve pitch, roll, and yaw control of a miniature hypersonic vehicle. The proposed system uses high-bandwidth, high-power density adaptive actuators for its control surfaces. These actuators have energy, power, force, moment, and stroke capabilities which are significantly higher than all previous actuator families. In Phase I, NEAR-KUCR will select the actuator material, evaluate candidate configurations, and carry out preliminary mission analysis and aerostructures simulations. The Phase I program will result in the fabrication and bench testing of a representative actuator-fin prototype which will demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed concept. This design will act as a springboard and starting point for the Phase II effort which will lead to a prototype to be flight tested by the Navy sponsor. Benefits: The immediate commercial market for components of the developed technology is the aerospace industry. This includes major airframe manufacturers and startup launch vehicle companies which have emerged in the past few years in response to the demand for low-cost access to low-earth orbit. This technology has numerous other applications including shoulder-launched missiles, UAVs, MAVs, general aviation and even submarines. A control fin which requires no external actuators provides high performance in a small and reliable package, and is inexpensive to produce and maintain is not currently available to flight vehicle designers. Additionally, this new class of actuators has the potential of bringing great benefits to mankind through medical, industrial and environmental applications, and a thorough evaluation of these potential uses will be explored. Currently, it is envisioned that this class of actuator can be used as a replacement or augmentation mechanism for all smooth muscle tissue functions in the human body. In particular, peristaltic contractions of various muscle groups associated with digestion and circulation will be explored. It is anticipated that several circulatory ailments could potentially be ameliorated or even cured with such devices. The flight control device has the potential of eliminating clotting and capillary debris blockage which lead to strokes. Another area which this actuator class might find great use in is in valve augmentation in both the digestive and circulatory systems. Ultimately artificial human organs could be developed such as artificial colons so as to eliminate the need for colostomies. Industrial applications include, but are not limited to, peristaltic pumps for moving fluids within vehicles or machines without moving parts, countervibration treatments to aid high tolerance manufacturing or acoustic radiation suppression to help with workplace safety. Mass transit and vehicular applications include auto-sonication walls which can sense, then destroy pathogens which might make contact with the surface. These types of walls could be used in public spaces such as malls or airports, but would also be well suited for aircraft interiors and within the HVAC systems of buildings, ships and ground vehicles. In short, this class of actuator will have many applications in many areas... each of which will be explored. Return