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 (UMD), proposes to develop an innovative Active Pitch Link (APL) Technology for improved active rotor performance. The APL will exploit the superior performance characteristics of a new magnetostrictive material, GalFeNOL, and nano-particle enhanced magnetorheological (MR) fluid technology. This hybrid device efficiently marries two high-energy density electromechanical materials, GalFeNOL magnetostrictive material and magnetorheological fluids, to provide full-scale rotor control. Comprehensive analyses, optimization, and testing in a wind tunnel, hover stand, and vacuum chamber will be performed in Phase II. The end result of the Phase II program will be an experimentally-validate APL device that has been scaled to full-scale flight loads.