Active Control Rotor Using No Swashplate

Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSI), in collaboration with the University of Maryland at College Park (UMD) and The Boeing Company, propose to systematically analyze, develop, and test a primary rotor system based on trailing-edge flaps actuated by Magnetic Shape Memory Alloy (MSMA) materials. In our Phase I laboratory testing and evaluation efforts, we have determined that MSMA, comprising single crystal, martensite, NiMnGa materials, possesses sufficient stroke, force, and frequency response (up to 6% strain, 7 N, and 300Hz, respectively) to actuate on-blade trailing-edge flaps for primary rotor control. This new material will be exploited to develop a swashplateless flight control (primary flight control and secondary vibration control) concept for U.S. Army helicopters, such as the AH-64 Apache and UH-60 Black Hawk.