SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY ACTUATED MICRO-FLOW EFFECTORS FOR VORTEX MANIPULATION

摘要

Smart structures are seen as an enabling technology for designing innovative control actuation systems for future missiles. In this study, the feasibility of employing shape memory alloy (SMA)-actuated micro-flow effectors to control the vortex shedding behaviour that produces side forces on slender body missiles is examined. Supersonic wind tunnel tests were performed on a slender finless missile equipped with static micro-flow effectors on a conical nose to determine suitable configurations that could generate significant side forces. Shape memory alloy actuators for the flow effector were developed using numerical techniques and validated experimentally. Matching the force-displacement characteristics of the SMA actuator to the micro-flow effector force-displacement requirement was accomplished by a compliant transmission mechanism. The dynamic performance of the micro-flow effector was assured with a two-step variable structure control law. Closed-loop test results showed that the control law was capable of providing effective displacement control up to 1.0 Hz.