Miniaturized Electric Actuation System
Navy SBIR FY2016.1


Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1
Topic No.: N161-048
Topic Title: Miniaturized Electric Actuation System
Proposal No.: N161-048-0646
Firm: Continental Controls and Design, Inc.
20252 Bancroft Circle
Huntington Beach, California 92646
Contact: Jim Hynes
Phone: (877) 575-0053
Web Site: http://www.continentalctrls.com
Abstract: We propose to develop a completely integrated, power dense, submersible EM linear actuator using techniques and components recently developed for our small craft Automatic Ride Control (ARC) and hingeline aileron Rotary ElectroMechanical Actuators (REMA) including embedded electronics with extremely low loss GaN power switches. Reducing the external connections to a few wires each for power and comm will enhance shipboard integration, logistics, efficiency and EMI suppression. Depending on application, truly plug and play functionality should be possible. Though ships typically have less stringent weight and volume constraints than aircraft and small surface craft, aerospace optimization techniques are fully appliciable. Our fault tolerant BLDC motor, the `engine' of the actuator, has significantly better metrics than any currently available motor. No specifications are yet available for near term Navy applications so we will study the feasibility of a wide range of packaging alternatives.
Benefits: The EAS technology will provide mechanical actuation of system critical functions safely allowing the operational deployment of UUVs alongside manned submersibles. The development of high energy density undersea capable EAS could be utilized in the deep-sea resource industry and deep ocean academic investigation.

Return