Shape memory alloy-actuated propeller blades and shape memory alloy-actuated propeller assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10029781-B2
Application number	US-201514816444-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2015
Priority date	Aug 3, 2015
Publication date	Jul 24, 2018
Grant date	Jul 24, 2018

Abstract

Shape memory alloy-actuated propeller blades and shape memory alloy-actuated propeller assemblies are disclosed. An example propeller blade includes a propeller body, a plate coupled to the propeller body, a torque transfer member, and a shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator. The torque transfer member has a distal end attached to the plate such that the torque transfer member applies to the plate at least a portion of a torque applied to the torque transfer member at a proximal end of the torque transfer member. The SMA actuator has a distal end and a proximal end. The distal end of the SMA actuator is attached to the torque transfer member. The proximal end of the SMA actuator is coupled to the propeller body such that the distal end is mated to the propeller body. The SMA actuator is configured to apply the torque to the proximal end of the torque transfer member in response to an application of heat to the SMA actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A propeller blade, comprising:
a propeller body;
a bearing assembly to couple the propeller body to a propeller hub, the bearing assembly to allow the propeller body to rotate relative to the propeller hub; and
a shape memory alloy actuator having a first end and a second end, the first end of the shape memory alloy actuator being attached to a base plate of the propeller hub, the second end of the shape memory alloy actuator being coupled to the propeller body, the shape memory alloy actuator being configured to apply torque to rotate the propeller body in response to an application of heat to the shape memory alloy actuator.

2. The propeller blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the shape memory alloy actuator includes a nickel-titanium based alloy.

3. The propeller blade as defined in claim 1 , further including an electrical heater to apply the heat to the shape memory alloy actuator.

4. The propeller blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the torque is based on an amount of the heat applied to the shape memory alloy actuator.

5. The propeller blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first end of the shape memory alloy actuator includes a spline to matably engage the base plate of the propeller hub to prevent the first end of the shape memory alloy from rotating relative to the base plate.

6. The propeller blade as defined in claim 1 , wherein the first end of the shape memory alloy actuator and the base plate of the propeller hub include interlocking splines.

7. A propeller assembly, comprising:
a propeller hub;
a propeller blade attached to the propeller hub via a bearing assembly, the propeller blade including:
a propeller body; and
a shape memory alloy actuator having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator being mated to the propeller body and the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator being mated to the propeller hub such that, when heated, the shape memory alloy actuator causes the propeller body to rotate about an axis extending through the shape memory alloy actuator; and
a heater to apply heat to the shape memory alloy actuator.

8. The propeller assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein the shape memory alloy actuator includes a nickel-titanium based alloy.

9. The propeller assembly as defined in claim 7 , further including a second propeller blade attached to the propeller hub via a second rotating bearing, the second propeller blade including:
a second propeller body; and
a second shape memory alloy actuator having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the second shape memory alloy actuator being mated to the second propeller body and the proximal end of the second shape memory alloy actuator being mated to the propeller hub such that, when heated, the second shape memory alloy actuator causes the second propeller body to rotate about a second axis extending through the second shape memory alloy actuator.

10. The propeller assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein the shape memory alloy actuator has a first spline at the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator and the propeller hub has a second spline, the first and second splines to prevent rotation of the proximal end of the shape memory alloy actuator about an axis extending through the shape memory alloy actuator with respect to the propeller hub.

11. The propeller assembly as defined in claim 7 , wherein the shape memory alloy actuator has a first spline at the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator and the propeller body has a second spline, the first and second splines to prevent rotation of the distal end of the shape memory alloy actuator about an axis extending through the shape memory alloy actuator with respect to the propeller body.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Bigbee-Hansen William J
• Clingman Dan J
• Mabe James H

Classifications

• B64C2027/7288

  of the memory shape type · CPC title

• B64C11/30 Primary

  Blade pitch-changing mechanisms · CPC title

• B64C11/44

  electric · CPC title

• F05D2300/505

  Shape memory behaviour · CPC title

• B64C11/06 Primary

  for variable-pitch blades · CPC title