AN ACTUATING MECHANISM

Abstract

An actuating mechanism is disclosed for a body in an air and/or space vehicle. having at least one control surface on the body for moving relative to the body and thereby enabling control of the air flow and enabling the air vehicle to maneuver. The actuating mechanism has at least two actuators produced from an electro-active polymer material between the body and the control surface for changing its form depending on electrical energy and thereby triggering the control surfaced.

Claims

1. An actuating mechanism (1) configured for an air and/or space vehicle comprising a body (2) and at least one control surface (3) on the body (2), moving relative to the body (2), thereby enabling to control the air flow and the air vehicle to maneuver, the actuating mechanism (1) comprising: at least two actuators (4) produced from an electro-active polymer material, configured for being located between the body (2) and the control surface (3), changing their form depending on electrical energy, thereby triggering the control surface (3), a connection element (5) between the actuators (4) so as to be able to move depending on the movement of the actuators (4), enabling the actuators (4) to be connected to each other, a transmission element (6) in a spherical form, triggered by the connection element (5), thereby allowing the control surface (3) to move, a bearing (7) on the body (2) in which the transmission element (6) is movably located and which has an inclined form, and wherein the actuators (4) are connected to the transmission element (6) through the connection element (5) within the bearing (7) and move along the bearing (7) with the transmission element (6) within the bearing (7).

2. An actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 1, comprising a control unit (10) for controlling the movement of the transmission element (6).

3. An actuating mechanism (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuators (4) have planar and/or cylindrical layers of different thicknesses relative to each other.

Description

[0020] The actuating mechanism realized to achieve the object of the present invention is shown in the accompanying figures, among which;

[0021] FIG. 1- is a schematic view of the control surface, wing, control unit.

[0022] FIG. 2- is a schematic view of a movement mechanism.

[0023] FIG. 3- is a schematic view of actuating movement mechanism.

[0024] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below. [0025] 1. Actuating mechanism [0026] 2. Body [0027] 3. Control surface [0028] 4. Actuator [0029] 5. Connection element [0030] 6. Transmission element [0031] 7. Bearing [0032] 8. Wing [0033] 9. Rod [0034] 10. Control unit

[0035] The actuating mechanism (1) comprises a body (2) in an air and/or space vehicle, at least one control surface (3) on the body (2), moving relative to the body (2), thereby enabling to control the air flow and the air vehicle to maneuver, at least two actuators (4) produced from an electro-active polymer material between the body (2) and the control surface (3), changing their form depending on electrical energy, thereby triggering the control surface (3).

[0036] The actuating mechanism (1) of the invention comprises a connection element (5) between the actuators (4) so as to be able to move depending on the movement of the actuators (4), enabling the actuators (4) to be connected to each other, a transmission element (6) triggered by the connection element (5), thereby allowing the control surface (3) to move, a bearing (7) on the body (2), in which the transmission element (6) is movably located and which has a form that is previously determined by its manufacturer. (FIG. 2) (FIG. 3)

[0037] In order to perform the desired movement in air and/or space vehicles, there are control surfaces (3) provided that enable to control the air flow by making a movement relative to the body (2). The control surface (3) is triggered by the actuators (4). The control surface (3) can move with the drive provided by actuators (4) produced from an electro-active polymer material that changes their form depending on electrical energy.

[0038] The connection element (5) connects the actuators (4) to each other and is located between the actuators (4). With the movement of the connection element (5), which can move depending on the movement of the actuators (4), the transmission element (6) is actuated, thereby allowing the control surface (3) to move. The transmission element (6) is movably located in a bearing (7) provided on the body (2) in a manufacturer-predetermined fashion.

[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises at least one wing (8) located on the body (2), extending outward from the body (2), enabling the air and/or space vehicle to rise depending on the air flow, and a control surface (3) located on the wing. (FIG. 1)

[0040] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises a transmission element (6) in a spherical form. The transmission element (6) may be in the form of a ball sliding and/or rolling in the bearing. Thus, with the movement of the ball shaped transmission element (6), it is aimed that the movement provided by the actuators (4) is transferred to the control surface (3) connected to the ball shaped transmission element (6) so that the control surface (3) realizes the desired movement.

[0041] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises a bearing (7) with an inclined form. The bearing (7), in which the transmission element (6) can be easily rolled and/or slidably moved, can be rounded, curved, or in a S form, C form, U form.

[0042] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises actuators (4) connected to the transmission element (6) through the connection element (5) in the bearing (7) and moving along the bearing (7) with the transmission element (6) in the bearing (7). By connecting the actuators (4) directly to the ball shaped transmission element (6) without an intermediary connection, higher force values are obtained compared to other embodiments of the invention. This actuating mechanism (1) can be used in places requiring higher force values depending on the position of the control surface (3) and on the form of the body (2) in the air and/or space vehicle.

[0043] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises actuators (4) that are connected so as to be linear and coaxial to each other. When one of the linear and coaxial actuators (4) is electrically energized, the electrically energized actuator (4) elongates and accordingly the other actuator (4) shortens itself. The connection element (5) moves depending on the movement of the actuators (4). With the movement of the connection element (5), the transmission element (6) is triggered. With the movement of the transmission element (6), the control surface is enabled to move.

[0044] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises a rod (9) located on the body (2) and/or control surface (3) so as to connect the connection element (5) and the transmission element (6), capable to elongate and shorten by the movement of the transmission element (6) within the bearing (7), thereby allowing the actuators (4) to move in a coaxial manner. The rod (9) extends outward from the connection element (5) to which the linear actuators (4) are connected. When the actuators (4) are powered up, they change their form and move the connection element (5) that is in between them. With the movement of the connection element (5), the rod (9) connected to it triggers the transmission element (6) and enables it to move within the bearing (7). In order for the actuators (4) to be able to move linearly and coaxially, the length of the rod (9) connecting the transmission element (6) and the connection element (5) must be variable during the movement.

[0045] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises a moving control surface (3) such as an aileron, flap, rudder, slat, elevator. The desired movements of the moving control surfaces (3) are carried out by the actuating mechanism (1) disclosed with the invention.

[0046] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises a control unit (10) controlling the transmission element (6). There is a control unit (10) that controls the variation in the transmission element (6) with respect to center of gravity during flight and/or movement.

[0047] In an embodiment of the present invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises actuators (4) produced from a dielectric elastomer material. Actuators (4) actuated by electrical energy enable electrical energy to be converted into mechanical energy.

[0048] In an embodiment of the invention, the actuating mechanism (1) comprises actuators (4) with planar and/or cylindrical layers, which may be of different thicknesses relative to each other. The number of layers of actuators (4) with planar and/or cylindrical layers may vary depending on the power and/or force values required by the desired movement, the position in which the mechanism is used, the control surface and such parameters.