Innovative Concepts for Ultra-light and Reliable Hydraulic Actuators

It is proposed to initiate a research program to design and manufacture a composite housing gear system for the next generation of NAVY F/A-18 and F-35 aircrafts. The present systems use steel housing which lack the low weight requirements for the design of the Wing Fold Transmission systems. The proposed effort relies on replacing the current steel made Ring Gear Housing System with the Carbon Reinforced Composite Materials. The application of composite materials in aerospace and automobile as structural materials is expanding primarily because its properties match high strength steel alloys with large savings in weight. Although there are many advantages in the use of these composites, there are many issues in the fatigue life, corrosion and other mechanical properties that need to be considered in the use of these composites in corrosive environments. One solution to address the corrosion and environmental issues is the use of proper coating systems for the final composite product. We propose to develop the composite and coating system and test them for their life, corrosion and other mechanical properties. The result of this work would provide a complete system that can meet all the design requirements by the NAVY.