Development of a shape memory alloy wire actuator to operate a morphing wing

DSC tests were performed on several types of SMAs to verify the phase-transformation temperatures, and then experiments to examine their characteristics were carried out. An electric-current was supplied to the SMA wire to measure the appropriate operational current range. The force generated by the SMA wire increased according to the supplied current, but it diminished when the over-current was supplied because thermo-mechanical properties of the wire started to degrade. The appropriate stress range for effective actuation characteristics was also investigated. The SMA wire actuator was designed to operate a morphing wing. Experiments for the wing were conducted to verify its characteristics and it was smoothly deformed.