Fast Response Shape Memory Alloy Control Surfaces for Hypersonic Munitions

The Techsburg Inc./Virginia Tech Center for Intelligent Material Systems and Structures (CIMSS) team proposes a novel approach to supersonic/hypersonic munition flight control systems. In the proposed Phase I effort, we will analytically and numerically investigate using high-temperature shape memory alloy (SMA) actuators to drive fin flow effectors to control high-speed munitions. A coupled thermal/kinematic/mechanical code will be developed to model SMA actuator force, deflection, and time response. An optimized flow effector design will be determined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and the loading from the CFD simulations will be used as an input to the analytical model. A closed-loop control code incorporating the actuator attributes from the model will be developed. Finally, a proof-of-concept fin prototype incorporating SMA-actuated flow effectors will be designed, fabricated, and tested to experimentally validate and tune the model. The design will incorporate several novel features, such as using forced convection air to simultaneously improve actuator time response and augment flow effector performance.