Session: 02-02 Shape Memory Alloy and Polymer Applications

Paper Number: 169908

169908 - Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Vortex Generators for Aircraft Quiet High-Lift System: Actuation System Design 

Airframe noise during an aircraft's low-altitude approach is primarily caused by high-lift systems, such as the inboard flap edge and the outboard trailing edge flap. These latter flaps are fully deployed during approach and can generate significant noise, as the large lift gradient at the flap edges during landing creates strong roll-up vortices. The aim of this work is to develop deployable and controllable vortex generators (CVGs) for the outboard trailing edge (OBTE) flap to reduce the strength of these roll-up vortices and manage the flow around the edge to minimize radiated noise. Previous efforts utilizing shape memory alloy reconfigurable technology vortex generators (SMART-VGs) designed for drag reduction are now applied to create new vortex generators with various shapes and functions aimed at noise reduction.

The CVGs are driven by a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator, a NiTiPd torque tube positioned along the hingeline, for on-demand deployment and stowing.  The NiTiPd tubes were designed to achieve a target range of motion from 0 to 135 degrees of rotation, under a hinge moment torque on the order of 339 N-mm. A CVG includes the moving VG Vane, the SMA rotary actuator terminated to mounting brackets, a cartridge heater inside the SMA tube, a magnetic encoder built into the hingeline, and a temperature sensor.  Five CVGs are integrated into two rows on the skin of the OBTE Flap such that when retracted the VG vanes are flush with the skin surface.   The system of 5 CVGs includes batteries, electronics, wiring, and Bluetooth receiver transmitter, all positioned inside the flap.  Each CVG is controlled via position feedback using the Vane angle measured by the magnetic encoders.  The CVGs can be controlled individually or collectively to any position from 0 degrees (retracted) through 90 degrees (deployed upright) to 135 degrees (maximum position).  The Bluetooth connectivity enabled by small surface mounted antennas passes data and control signals from an engineering laptop, located inside the airplane fuselage, to the CVGs.  A Graphic User Interface allows the engineer to monitor and control two CVG systems, one on each wing OBTE Flap, to meet test requirements.  A video camera mounted inside the airplane can observe the CVGs.  

The CVG system was design, built, and tested by a team of Subject Matter Experts from Boeing, Deharde GmBH, and NASA Glenn.  These CVGs will be evaluated as part of Boeing’s Quiet High Lift project under the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) III Program.

Presenting Author: Frederick Calkins Boeing

Presenting Author Biography: He is an innovation leader, inventor, instructor, and futurist. He is a Technical Fellow at Boeing and Subject Matter Expert and leader in smart materials and smart/adaptive structures and systems technologies. This includes developing Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) actuators and supporting technology that provide new capability to military and commercial aerospace products. He has been awarded over 150 US and International patents and authored over 90 articles and books. He received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Iowa State University (1997) and his BA in Astrophysics from Princeton University (1988). He is a Boeing Designated Expert in Root Cause and Corrective Action and a certified TRIZ (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) practitioner focused on problem solving, Root Cause Analysis, and Technology Forecasting. He is a retired Army Colonel, having served as the Washington National Guard commander of the 205th Regiment (Training) and as the State Director of Logistics responsible for emergency response operations. He is Co-Director of the National Guard Innovation Team in direct support of Chief, National Guard Bureau, a four star general and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.