Self Contained Actuation Systems

The Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) Transport was developed as a high-speed, over-the-beach, fully amphibious landing craft. There are 82 LCAC's in service. In operation, the LCAC is subjected to a most severe environment. Consequently, they requiresignificant amounts of maintenance. For example, the fleet spends $4,264,000 annually to buy bearings and actuators, associated with the rudder control system, not including the labor associated with the maintenance.Foam Matrix, Inc. (FMI) proposes a solution that would reduce existing maintenance concerns and enhance future systems reliability and maintainability. FMI has a unique composite manufacturing process that can be used to manufacture a control surface withan integrated servo-actuator. FMl, Hamilton Sunstrand and Prof. Alley Butler will develop a composite rudder with an electric servo-actuator molded into the structure of the rudder. The advantages to such a configuration are numerous. Changing to asystem that is purely electric reduces the complexity of the overall system architecture. An embedded servo would be protected from the severe operating environment. Composites are less prone to corrosion. The reduced part count and simplifiedarchitecture would result in a much smaller fault tree and maintenance costs. Reliability would be increased and availability enhanced. Reduced annual maintainance costs. Simplified Rudder Control System. Significant Weight savings. A more reliable Rudder Control System.