Next Linear Collider Switching Power Supply

Not Available This project will study the feasibility of using MEMS fabrication technology to replace classical mechanical actuators we are currenty using for active control of High Cycle Fatigue (HCF) in gas turbine rotor blades. Left unchecked, this flexing of the rotor blades can lead to blade and engine failure By modifying the stator wakes with deployable actuators, we are able to greatly reduce rotor blade vibration. Prototype actuators have been 1/2 mm tall bumps fastened to the stator blades. These bumps must be deployable, varying their deployment with engine RPM. The existence of MEMS technology provides a potentially versatile solution, which may enable us to reduce the drag cost of wake modification. Hood Technology is currently engaged in a NAVAIR-sponsored project to demonstrate such active control of HCF in an Air Force test rig. We hope to use the MEMS actuators we propose to build under this project, in this parallel demonstration.