Contact-aided compliant mechanisms for morphing aircraft skin

Author(s):  
Vipul Mehta ◽  
Mary Frecker ◽  
George Lesieutre
Author(s):  
Vipul Mehta ◽  
Mary Frecker ◽  
George Lesieutre

Cellular structures with an internal contact-mechanism are investigated. These contact-aided compliant mechanisms are shown to reduce the local tensile stresses, thereby providing additional global strain before yielding or fracture failure compared to honeycomb or auxetic cellular structures. An analytical model for such structures is developed and it is validated using FEA simulations. Two different materials are considered for comparison. More than 100% improvement in global strain capability is possible using the contact. A high-strain morphing aircraft skin is examined as an application of these mechanisms. The contact-aided cellular compliant mechanisms are more advantageous in terms of both the structural mass as well as the global strain compared to a non-contact design. In the application considered the stress-relief mechanism increased the global strain capability by as high as 37%.


2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (17) ◽  
pp. 1699-1717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward A. Bubert ◽  
Benjamin K.S. Woods ◽  
Keejoo Lee ◽  
Curt S. Kothera ◽  
N.M. Wereley

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sridhar Kota ◽  
Joel A. Hetrick ◽  
Russell Osborn ◽  
Donald Paul ◽  
Edmund Pendleton ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Philipp Gräser ◽  
Sebastian Linß ◽  
Felix Harfensteller ◽  
Mario Torres ◽  
Lena Zentner ◽  
...  

1999 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Saxena ◽  
G. K. Ananthasuresh

Optimal design methods that use continuum mechanics models are capable of generating suitable topology, shape, and dimensions of compliant mechanisms for desired specifications. Synthesis procedures that use linear elastic finite element models are not quantitatively accurate for large displacement situations. Also, design specifications involving nonlinear force-deflection characteristics and generation of a curved path for the output port cannot be realized with linear models. In this paper, the synthesis of compliant mechanisms is performed using geometrically nonlinear finite element models that appropriately account for large displacements. Frame elements are chosen because of ease of implementation of the general approach and their ability to capture bending deformations. A method for nonlinear design sensitivity analysis is described. Examples are included to illustrate the usefulness of the synthesis method.


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