Non-Inductive Control Surface Actuator Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-096 Topic Title: Non-Inductive Control Surface Actuator Proposal No.: N101-096-1918 Firm: Dynamic Structures and Materials, LLC 205 Williamson Square Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Contact: Jeffrey Paine Phone: (615) 595-6665 Web Site: www.dynamic-structures.com Abstract: Dynamic Structures and Materials, LLC (DSM) proposes a novel piezoelectric ceramic motor actuator for actuating flight control surfaces such as canards in mortars and gun launched munitions. The proposed miniature piezoelectric ceramic actuation technology is based on a "inertial" vibration motor concept that has been shown to be able to produce over 15 lbf in linear applications and 2 lbf-in in rotary applications. The motor also provides high resolution control authority of less than 0.001" and nearly instantaneous stroke without the windup or backlash found in traditional geared electromagnetic or hydraulic/pneumatic actuation technologies. DSM has demonstrated that components of the motor technology can withstand gun launch accelerations of up to 100 kG. Development of an electronics driver that requires minimal space and little or no power during hard-over or holding maneuvers is also proposed. A Phase I experimental feasibility test and analysis results will demonstrate the potential for the Phase II system. Benefits: The actuation technology that will result from the SBIR development will be useful in other military munitions platforms and has potential uses in other aerospace applications. A wide variety of guided munitions systems could benefit from smaller, lighter actuation devices. High-precision, high specific power actuators have many applications in aerospace and other markets, and any actuator improvements resulting from the proposed research would benefit these areas as well. Key, desirable characteristics of the actuation technology include its high resolution, high specific force, proportional response, miniature geometry and high reliability. The actuation technology may also be considered valuable for markets including end effectors for industrial automation platforms for pick-and-place, fluid dispense, and semiconductor die wire bonding applications. DSM has been working with valve manufacturers on this type of actuation technology and has found a large market in precision valve control. The high slew rates required by these industrial applications require small, reduced weight components and good system stiffness to avoid detrimental effects of inertial loading during rapid moves. Piezoelectric devices also perform significantly better than linear motor driven mechanisms when force, acceleration and bandwidth are considered. Return