Electric and Smart-Material Self-Contained Actuators

KCF Technologies is currently working on a project for the Navy involving Electric and Smart-Material Self-Contained Actuators for LCAC Rudder Control. The LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushioned) is used by the Navy as an air cushion craft for transporting, ship-to-shore and across the beach, personnel, weapons, equipment, and cargo of the assault elements of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force.

KCF Technologies is evaluating the advantages to be realized by replacing the LCAC hydraulic rudder actuator with a Piezoelectric Hybrid Linear Actuator. The Piezoelectric Hybrid Linear Actuator combines recent developments in smart materials with existing electromagnetic torque motor technology to achieve extremely high power in a very compact package. The actuator design represents an advance for piezoelectric actuator technology. Specifically, the projected combination of force, loaded rate, power density and four-quadrant control surpasses any piezoelectric actuator with which we are familiar. In addition, the actuator meets stated Navy needs of being modular, compact, lightweight, maintenance-free, and environmentally protected.

Key features of the Piezoelectric Hybrid Linear Actuator are:

• High efficiency of operation, enabling higher duty cycles for actuator applications
• Higher projected power density than all actuators considered
• Most attractive and innovative technology to enable Future Naval Capabilities
• Electric actuator, so maintenance related to hydraulic lines is eliminated

A simulation of the actuator performance projects the actuation rate under load, which is shown to exceed the LCAC requirements in a compact envelope. We compare the anticipated benefit between the proposed electric actuator and existing hydraulic actuator. The matrix-style comparison includes maintenance requirements, affordability, maturity of technology, power density, failure mode, and power consumption.