Innovative Concepts for Ultra-light and Reliable Hydraulic Actuators

Integran Technologies USA Inc. (Pittsburgh, PA) is pleased to provide this proposal in response to the Navy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Request for Proposal (RFP) “N08-119: Innovative Concepts for Ultra-light and Reliable Hydraulic Actuators”, to investigate the use of a novel high strength nanostructured metal (Nanovate™) as a thin structural reinforcing shell on ultra-lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) actuator rods and cylinders. In the proposed project, Integran seeks to address the intrinsic deficiencies of CFRP by applying nanometal to the working surface of the CFRP actuator rods and cylinders to provide increased surface durability, wear resistance and specific strength/stiffness of the CFRP substructure at ambient and elevated temperatures, thereby enabling the use of CFRP for ultra-lightweight actuators. The high strength of the nanostructured material will allow a thin structural reinforcing coating, thus maintaining the overall lightweight nature of the component. The successful execution of this project will provide a proof-of-concept demonstration as well as baseline mechanical property data for nanometal/composite hybrid structures at a range of temperatures, thereby allowing engineering designers to incorporate the use of these structures into advanced engineering components, including lightweight actuators.