Magnetic Gears for Utility Actuation Gearbox Applications Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.2 Topic No.: N102-115 Topic Title: Magnetic Gears for Utility Actuation Gearbox Applications Proposal No.: N102-115-1023 Firm: Trex Enterprises Corporation 10455 Pacific Center Court San Diego, California 92121-4339 Contact: Edward Davis Phone: (808) 442-7030 Web Site: www.trexenterprises.com Abstract: Modern rotary wing naval aircraft posses numerous winching and reeling systems to handle cargo, rescue operations, and sensors such as ASW devices. These systems require maintenance & lubrication, and may break down or degrade with age due to mechanical gear tooth wear - This can have severe impacts on mission availability, reliability, maintenance, and logistics. Magnetic gears and couplings offer the promise of low maintenance, low friction, high efficiency, zero wear, and now with new magnet technology, high torque densities. The basic principles and allure of magnetic gears goes back at least 70 if not over 100 years! However now, with the advent of modern high strength magnets, and innovative topologies that take full advantage of them, the promise highly efficient magnetic gearing is becoming a reality. Trex Enterprises proposes to design, develop, and test an airworthy magnetic gear based gearbox for utility actuation gearbox applications. Benefits: Anticipated benefits of this approach include:  Potential for very low maintenance / High reliability & availability  No contacting gear teeth / no wear / no friction / no lubrication of gear teeth  No lubrication required (for the gear teeth)  No physical contact between gears required  Completely sealed gearbox impervious to dust, sand, salt fog & corrosive atmosphere with no rotating seals  High efficiencies / Low mechanical drag or losses  Trex Enterprises' designed gears for high torque capability, low reluctance operation Other industries may also benefit greatly from magnetic gears - Examples include the wind power industry, where high precision mechanical gearboxes are currently used because of the tremendous loads & variations thereof that are encountered, the wave power industry where Trex is currently applying magnetic gears, the electric power industry, commercial ships & aircraft, and various consumer & automotive applications where reduced noise and maintenance would be desirable. The business case analysis in Phase II will likely help us better quantify these opportunities. Return