An actuator device based on a shape memory alloy, and a wing flap assembly fitted with such an actuator device

摘要

A wing-flap assembly comprises a flap (20; 200) made up of a plurality of flap sections (21, 22, 23; 201, 202, 203, 204), in which each flap section is connected to the preceding one in a rotatable manner, and one or more actuator devices (10) adapted to control the rotation of the flap sections. Each actuator device comprises an extended element (11) made of shape memory alloy and an arch-shaped framework (12) made of elastic material, to which the extended element is fixedly connected under tension. Each end (11a, 11b) of the extended element is fixed to a respective end (12a, 12b, 12ab) of the arch-shaped framework. At least one of the actuator devices is connected at one end to the first of the flap sections, and on the other side it is adapted to be connected to a wing structure (W).