Feasibility Investigation of Attitude Control with Shape Memory Alloy Actuator on a Tethered Wing

This study is aimed at assessing the feasibility of employing an innovative, smart-material-based control effector for inflatable wing. A shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator primarily investigated as a in this work its advantages simple actuation mechanism and high force-to-weight ratio. paper presents design, strategy simulation results SMA used stability augmentation system small-scale prototype kite. Stable flight kite achieved during open wind tunnel tests using actuator. Based on experimental analyses, it evident that current better low-frequency actuations rather than purposes, performance sensitive to practical conditions. The also discusses potential improvements applications