US 12,240,601 B2
Morphing structures with light-responsive polymers
Yuyang Song, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Shailesh N. Joshi, Ann Arbor, MI (US); Danil V. Prokhorov, Canton, MI (US); and Umesh N. Gandhi, Farmington Hills, MI (US)
Assigned to Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US); and Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Toyota (JP)
Filed by Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Plano, TX (US)
Filed on Dec. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/084,833.
Prior Publication US 2024/0199206 A1, Jun. 20, 2024
Int. Cl. B64C 31/06 (2020.01); F03D 5/00 (2006.01); F03D 7/00 (2006.01); F03D 9/25 (2016.01); F03D 80/60 (2016.01)
CPC B64C 31/06 (2013.01) [F03D 5/015 (2023.08); F03D 7/00 (2013.01); F03D 9/25 (2016.05); F03D 80/60 (2016.05); F05B 2240/921 (2013.01); F05B 2280/4003 (2013.01); F05B 2280/5006 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A morphing aerodynamic structure comprising:
a body with an outer covering;
a bridle attached to the body; and
a light-responsive polymer disposed on the bridle, the light-responsive polymer configured to change shape when illuminated with a laser such that the bridle changes shape and at least one of an angle of attack, roll, pitch, and yaw of the morphing aerodynamic structure is controlled when the light-responsive polymer is illuminated with the laser.