Reflexive aerostructures: increased vehicle survivability

Thomas W. Margraf; Chris D. Hemmelgarn; Thomas J. Barnell; Mark A. Franklin

doi:10.1117/12.715218

11 April 2007 Reflexive aerostructures: increased vehicle survivability

Thomas W. Margraf, Chris D. Hemmelgarn, Thomas J. Barnell, Mark A. Franklin

Proceedings Volume 6527, Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007; 652708 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715218
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Aerospace systems stand to benefit significantly from the advancement of reflexive aerostructure technologies for increased vehicle survivability. Cornerstone Research Group Inc. (CRG) is developing lightweight, healable composite systems for use as primary load-bearing aircraft components. The reflexive system is comprised of piezoelectric structural health monitoring systems, localized thermal activation systems, and lightweight, healable composite structures. The reflexive system is designed to mimic the involuntary human response to damage. Upon impact, the structural health monitoring system will identify the location and magnitude of the damage, sending a signal to a discrete thermal activation control system to resistively heat the shape memory polymer (SMP) matrix composite above activation temperature, resulting in localized shape recovery and healing of the damaged areas. CRG has demonstrated SMP composites that can recover 90 percent of flexural yield stress and modulus after postfailure healing. During the development, CRG has overcome issues of discrete activation, structural health monitoring integration, and healable resin systems. This paper will address the challenges associated with development of a reflexive aerostructure, including integration of structural health monitoring, discrete healing, and healable shape memory resin systems.

Citation Download Citation

Thomas W. Margraf, Chris D. Hemmelgarn, Thomas J. Barnell, and Mark A. Franklin "Reflexive aerostructures: increased vehicle survivability", Proc. SPIE 6527, Industrial and Commercial Applications of Smart Structures Technologies 2007, 652708 (11 April 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715218

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available