Solid-state, Lightweight, Active-balance-system, Powered-by-light, (SLAP)

Advanced Technologies Group, Inc. proposes a Solid-state, Lightweight, Active-balance-system, Powered-by-light, (SLAP). The SLAP balancer will reduce or eliminate drive shaft vibrations caused by rotational dynamics of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) liftfan drive shaft. Reduced shaft vibration will prevent drive shaft maintenance and improve support bearing life while reducing lift fan clutch wear. The innovative SLAP will not produce Electromagnetic interference, has low power consumption and iscapable of millisecond response time. During phase I of this effort, Advanced Technologies Group, (ATG) will demonstrate the concept feasibility by performing bench-top rotational dynamics testing. Several applications have been identified for the newtechnology including commercial aircraft utilizing variable pitch propellers.