Novel schemes for highly reliable aerospace electromechanical primary actuation systems

There is a need to achieve 10^-9 reliability for actuators for critical aerospace applications and this precludes single point failure for all but the simplest and most reliable electrical and mechanical components. LC Drives proposes a method of constructing a high reliability linear actuator for critical aerospace applications that is designed such that jams caused by conventional electrical and mechanical means do will not prevent the actuator from moving when a secondary actuator is driving. LC Drives has completed preliminary studies that show high probability that this approach will be successful in achieving these goals, but the next step is the design process is to details these designs to insure all subsystems can meet the reliability goals. Additionally, the optimization of these designs to minimize size and weight is a critical component of a feasible design will be completed. LC Drives has been developing high power density motors for other applications and believes that some of these concepts are applicable in achieving low size and weight for this application. The proposed solution will be scalable in speed, stroke, and force and be capable well in excess of the 3Hp requirement.