The Boeing Company

Christopher R Shurilla

Steven Fulton Griffin

Richard William Aston

Frederick Theodore Calkins

Michael John Langmack

Jazzmin P Martinez

Alexander C Klein

Zackary L Endsley

John C Mooney

A deployable panel is provided comprising a first subpanel, a second subpanel, and a shape memory alloy hinge connecting the subpanels. The shape memory alloy hinge enables the subpanels to move between a position in which the first and second subpanels are folded over each other and an unfolded position in response to an energy source that changes the shape of the shape memory alloy hinge, wherein the unfolded position is trained into the shape memory alloy hinge to ensure precise kinematic mating between the subpanels. Shape memory alloy springs are connected to the first subpanel and respective tethers connect the shape memory alloy springs to the second subpanel. The shape memory alloy springs contract in response to a second energy source to pull the subpanels together via the tethers when the subpanels are in the unfolded position to produce a seamless, featureless surface of the deployable panel.

Large deployable panel with shape memory hinge and load elements

Systems and methods for dampening dynamic loading between two bodies are described. An example dampening system includes a non-ferrous metal body attached to a second body and a stack of magnets attached to a third body. The stack of magnets is movably disposed within or around the non-ferrous metal body, and adjacent magnets are arranged in an opposed polar relationship, whereby relative movement of said second and third bodies is damped. An example method of dampening dynamic loading includes arranging a plurality of magnets along an axis to form at least one pair of magnets having an opposed polar relationship along the axis. The method further includes axially moving the at least one pair of magnets relative to a non-ferrous metal body, so as to dampen dynamic loading of a payload attached to a vehicle.

Systems and methods for dampening dynamic loading

A synthetic vacuum generator has a case enclosing an interior cavity with an aperture through the case in communication with the cavity. A piston and a check valve are mounted in the case in fluid communication with the cavity and the aperture. The piston and check valve are configured with symbiotic resonant response to establish an outflow there through and inducing an inflow through the aperture upon reciprocation of the piston at a predetermined frequency.

Synthetic vacuum generator

Growing community of inventors

Kihei, HI, United States of America

Christopher R Shurilla