Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Kevin Howard

William S Gulker

Artem Poliakov

Robert Lietz

Daniel Inman

Andres Arrieta Diaz

Michael Kelley

John Romig

Lawren Gamble

Karthik Boddapati

A composite panel includes a matrix, actuator elements disposed within the matrix or secured to an exterior surface of the composite panel, a plurality of slits, and an electrical termination area coupled to the shape memory fibers/elements. The plurality of slits are arranged parallel to each other and extend through at least a portion of a thickness of the composite panel. A power supply is configured to apply a burst voltage to the shape memory fibers/elements to change a shape of the composite panel, thereby modifying an airflow extending across the composite panel during operation.

Composite panels and system for active flow control on motor vehicles

An apparatus and method, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a composite material selectively movable between an inactive position and an active position, and a control to apply a voltage to the composite material in response to a vehicle panel moving from a closed position to an open position to move the composite material to the active position to mitigate wind throb.

Active aero device to attenuate wind throb

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Plymouth, MI, United States of America

Kevin Howard