The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 16, 2021
Filed:
Feb. 28, 2017
Flexsys, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Sridhar Kota, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Gregory F. Ervin, Canton, MI (US);
Jia-Hsuan Lo, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Kerr-Jia Lu, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Dragan Maric, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Mark R. Trost, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Ruey-Khan K. Tsang, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
FlexSys, Inc., Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An edge-morphing arrangement for an airfoil includes a compliant upper surface and a compliant lower surface that are joined together. An actuator is coupled to a driven surface and actuated to move the driven surface and change the shape thereof, with the non-driven surface changing its shape in response to actuation of the driven surface. The upper and lower surfaces can be part of a sub-flap mounted to a traditional flap of the fixed wing of an airplane. The upper and lower surfaces can be mounted to existing structure in the flap, or the flap components can be mounted to the sub-flap. The upper and lower surfaces can alternatively replace the traditional flap in the fixed wing of an aircraft. The upper and lower surfaces are continuous and can be deflected upward, downward, or twisted in a span-wise direction relative to the flap or wing.