Augmented Actuation Devices for Adaptive Structures

Techno-Sciences, Inc. (TSi), in collaboration with the Smart Structures Laboratory of the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center at the University of Maryland, proposes to develop an innovative Active Pitch Link (APL) Technology for improved rotor performance.The APL will exploit the beneficial performance characteristics of a new magnetostrictive material and nano-particle Magnetorheological (MR) fluid technology. This hybrid device efficiently marries two high-energy density electromechanical materials toprovide full-scale rotor control and can be retrofit to existing rotor systems and powered by existing rotor blade de-icing equipment. The control authority and bandwidth capability of the APL technology is expected to provide the full range of rotorcontrol, encompassing primary flight control, Higher Harmonic Control (HHC) for vibration reduction and noise mitigation, and other extreme flight loads reduction. The APL technology developed in this effort is applicable to a wide range of end-users inthe Defense, commercial, and industry sectors. The low-cost, retrofit capable APL system is particularly attractive for high-performance aircraft, UAV, missile systems, spacecraft, adaptive optics, and other applications where high bandwidth, largedisplacement, and high actuation forces are required in an energy efficient and compact package.