Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A fluid flow affecting generally planar member having opposed fluid flow surfaces on opposite sides of a geometric central plane, defining generally a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to the relative flow direction; structural means maintaining said member in a particular geometric shape with a relatively fixed curvature for said central geometric plane; said structural means at least in part being constructured of an electrostrictive material having an orientation such that with a voltage application, the electrostrictive material will change in shape to correspondingly change the shape of said structural means and thereby correspondingly warp the member and change the curvature of its geometric central plane; and electrical drive means for selectively impressing a voltage upon said electrostrictive material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A fluid flow affecting generally planar member having opposed fluid flow surfaces on opposite sides of a geometric central plane, defining generally a leading edge and a trailing edge with respect to the relative flow direction; structural means maintaining said member in a particular geometric shape with a relatively fixed curvature for said central geometric plane; said structural means at least in part being constructured of an electrostrictive material having an orientation such that with a voltage application, the electrostrictive material will change in shape to correspondingly change the shape of said structural means and thereby correspondingly warp the member and change the curvature of its geometric central plane; and electrical drive means for selectively impressing a voltage upon said electrostrictive material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said electrostrictive material exhibits the properties of expansion with one of a negative voltage and positive voltage, and contraction with the other of the negative voltage and positive voltage; and said drive means for impressing a voltage being capable of selectively supplying only a negative voltage to said electrostrictive material for an indeterminate length of time and further for selectively applying only a positive voltage to said electrostrictive material for an indeterminate period of time.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said structural means is pretensioned in its normal condition with zero voltage being applied to said electrostrictive material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said structural means is pretensioned in its normal condition with no voltage being impressed, and further wherein said electrostrictive material exhibits the properties of expansion when being subjected to an electrical voltage to thereby reduce the pretensioning of said structural means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid flow affecting member of claim 2 mounted on an airplane fuselage and extending from the fuselage to substantially affect the airplane aerodynamic characteristics for inflight control of the airplane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
The fluid flow affecting member of claim 1 mounted on an airplane fuselage and extending from the fuselage to substantially affect the airplane aerodynamic characteristics for inflight control of the airplane.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for controlling the curvature of a fluid flow control member having a leading edge generally transverse to the fluid flow, a trailing edge generally transverse to the fluid flow, opposed surfaces over which the fluid flows, which surfaces are on opposite sides of a geometric central plane having a predetermined normal curvature, and structural means on opposite sides of said plane to maintain said control member in the predetermined curvature of said geometric central plane, comprising the steps of: orienting electrostrictive material as an integral part of the structural means so that with a voltage applied to the electrostrictive material, it will change in length to correspondingly change the effective length of the structural means and warp the control member as defined by a change in curvature of the geometric central plane; and selectively applying a voltage to the electrostrictive material in an amount and of a characteristic to provide a desired curvature of the control member.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
159 words
A method for controlling the curvature of a fluid flow control member having a leading edge generally transverse to the fluid flow, a trailing edge generally transverse to the fluid flow, opposed surfaces over which the fluid flows, which surfaces are on opposite sides of a geometric central plane having a predetermined normal curvature, and structural means on opposite sides of said plane to maintain said control member in the predetermined curvature of said geometric central plane, comprising the steps of: orienting electrostrictive material as an integral part of the structural means so that with a voltage applied to the electrostrictive material, it will change in length to correspondingly change the effective length of the structural means and warp the control member as defined by a change in curvature of the geometric central plane; and selectively applying a voltage to the electrostrictive material in an amount and of a characteristic to provide a desired curvature of the control member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said step of applying voltage selectively applies a positive voltage for an indefinite period of time and a negative voltage for a separate indefinite period of time respectively corresponding to desired curvature in one direction and the opposite direction.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 8, including the step of prestressing the structural means mechanically under normal conditions of no applied voltage, and maintaining said prestressing as an integral part of the control member without external power.