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Portfolio Data
UEI: RYHNC43LN1U8
Number of Employees: 11
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Year of first award: 2021
5
Phase I Awards
6
Phase II Awards
120%
Conversion Rate
$499,940
Phase I Dollars
$6,683,963
Phase II Dollars
$7,183,903
Total Awarded
See what our company has achieved through SBIR/STTR funding.
Amount: $74,967 Topic: AFX245-PCSO1
This Phase I study focuses on the development of an innovative fastening solution for electrical connectors in spacecraft and aircraft. These connectors play a crucial role in the transmission of data for mission-critical processes, including signal antennas, and are often subjected to high levels of vibration. Traditional connections on Department of the Air Force (DAF) airframes and space platforms rely on safety-wired connectors to prevent loosening or detachment due to these vibrations. However, the manual installation of safety wire is labor-intensive and costly. The proposed technology aims to replace the need for safety wiring with a mechanically-locking, high-vibration-resistant, and reusable fastening solution. This new connector is designed to offer a positive-locking mechanism that ensures stable electrical connections, even in high vibration environments. It promises to simplify the installation process, significantly reducing the time and effort required for flight line maintenance across DAF aircraft platforms. Additionally, reliable high vibration resistant connectors across space based applications where access to platform maintenance is significantly degraded and oftentimes impossible. This initiative builds upon Enduralock's prior achievements in developing mechanically-locking, high-vibration-resistant fasteners. These fasteners have exceeded National Aerospace Standards, withstanding ten times the standard vibration requirements for a self-locking nut. Furthermore, they have demonstrated an impressive capacity for reusability, enduring up to 250 cycles. The efficiency of these fasteners has been proven on assembly lines, where more than 300 can be installed in the time it takes to safety-wire just 10 fasteners. The development of this technology stands to revolutionize maintenance practices for electrical connections in aerospace and space based applications, offering a more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable alternative to current methods and enhancing mission readiness for both DAF and USSF.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2024
DOD
USAF
Amount: $1,480,000 Topic: AF203-CSO1
Due to the harsh environment and limited-no access to space for servicing, assembly, and maintenance, space systems rely heavily on costly, and time-consuming risk reduction efforts to ensure sustainability on-orbit for years. The extreme temperatures of space contract/expand fastening systems, which leads to failures, and it is for this reason that fasteners destined for space are safety-wired. Beyond mere construction, the US Space Force and Department of Defense are committed to On-orbit (and In-orbit) Servicing, Assembly, and Maintenance (OSAM, ISAM) investments for the implementation of modular space vehicle architectures in order to refuel, repair, replace and upgrade a satellite. Enduralock offers a fastener solution that can be inserted and assembled in space, which does not require safety wire–thus, lowering the probability and risk of maintenance. Put simply, safety wire cannot be checked or replaced in-space. Enduralock’s technology development will contribute to risk reduction, mission assurance, and resilience across the entire space architecture. The technical goals of our involvement in this project are the development of No.4-No.10 mechanically locking, high vibration resistant fasteners that are unaffected by the temperature extremes in the space environment. The end effector for robotic installation in space will be developed. This will allow for the first robotic fastening solution that can be implemented in space. The mission impact of this project on the Air Force (Space Force) and the Department of Defense will be to provide the Air Force (and Space Force) the following strategic capability and otherwise strengthen the execution of the National Defense Strategy. Within 24 months of this research and development project, Enduralock will work with Space Systems Command (SSC) to adapt its fastener system technology to the space environment through the miniaturization and space-qualification testing of the Silver Lock Fastener for on-orbit application. This project will develop a magazine for and refine a robotic arm Adapter to allow the Silver Lock Fasteners to be removed, temporarily stored, and ultimately be re-installed in space. Enduralock will also develop the required tooling to manufacture the fastener components through forging, injection molding and stamping processes, and subject the fastener assemblies to National Aerospace Standard (NAS) qualification testing and thermal cycle testing to evaluate the performance of the technology in space environment. ???????
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2024
DOD
USAF
Amount: $74,994 Topic: X224-OCSO1
This Phase I feasibility study is to develop a mechanically locking, high vibration resistant and reusable fastening solution for aircraft fuel connectors and hydraulic fittings (without the need for safety wire) for critical fluid conveyance system applications on the B-1 and B-2 aircraft and ground support equipment. The proposed technology with its positive locking mechanism will provide for zero leak connections even when applied in high pressure, high vibration, and high temperature environments. The ease of application and reversible/reusable property of the technology will improve flight line maintenance times on the B-1 and B-2 aircrafts. Fuel line connectors and hydraulic fittings are used in critical fluid conveyance systems of an aircraft, such as fuel systems, landing gear systems, wheel brakes, thrust reverser actuation systems, and wing routing actuations, etc. The fittings applied in these critical applications are commonly exposed to high vibration and high temperature that could result in failure of the fitting joint, and thus the performance of the critical system itself. Currently, the connectors and fittings applied in critical aircraft systems are fastened and safety-wired to reduce their chance of loosening due to rigorous vibration and inconsistent pressure of fluids. The manual installation of safety wire is very labor-intensive and therefore costly. A mechanic can typically safety-wire 10 fasteners per hour at an hourly labor rate of $150. Hence, there is an imminent need to develop a high vibration resistant and high-pressure fluid connector that is easy to install and that can remain locked and provide for secure fluid connections when exposed to extreme vibration. Enduralock, in collaboration with an offshore well completions company, has previously developed the first mechanically locking, high vibration-high temperature resistant fastening solution for 17000 PSI gas fitting that in vibration testing, in accordance with National Aerospace Standard (NAS), survived 10x the aerospace requirement for a self-locking nut, proving its reliability in establishing a secure and reliable connection for the fluid lines. The fastening technology was designed to be installed with standard tools for ease of application and the fastening mechanism is fully reversible/reusable in maintenance. On the assembly line, approximately over 300 of Enduralock’s high vibration resistant fasteners could be installed in an hour compared to 10 fasteners that can be safety wired during the same time. Thus, integration of Enduralock’s locking technology in aircraft fuel connectors and hydraulic fittings that are currently safety wired will result in improvement of both the reliability of the connectors in high vibration environments and the flight line maintenance times on the assembly line for the B-1 and B-2 aircrafts.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2023
DOD
USAF
Amount: $1,205,000 Topic: X224-OCSO1
Ensuring superior, cutting-edge warfighting capabilities requires rethinking fundamental technologies that have been utilized for decades. Safety wiring to prevent fastener and fitting disconnections in difficult environments is a cumbersome process t
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2023
DOD
USAF
Amount: $749,447 Topic: AF211-CSO1
Enduralock proposes development of the first mechanically locking, self-aligning nut plate that is magnetically unlocked. It dramatically reduces flight line maintenance time involving access panels, and it provides for high vibration resistance. Due to i
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2022
DOD
USAF
Amount: $1,249,993 Topic: AF221-DCSO1
Enduralock’s proposal is to improve the reliability and reduce the need for maintenance of the ground support equipment for the B-1, B-2, and KC-135 aircraft. This is through the development of its mechanically locking, high vibration resistant fasteners as component substitutions on the equipment. Ground support equipment such as generators and compressors are subject to high vibration, which can lead to fasteners loosening and the resultant need for maintenance of the equipment. Conventional fasteners with self-locking nuts and bolts, are not reliable when used to assemble components of systems exposed to very high vibration. A small loss in preload, specifically in systems exposed to high vibration, results in a failure of the bolted joint. It is imperative that for systems undergoing high vibration, a permanently locking fastener technology be used for the system assembly. The disadvantage of the use of conventional permanently locking fasteners is that for maintenance they need to be cut out and then replaced. The ideal fastener for use in a high vibration environment would be a mechanically locking fastener that is easy to apply and easy to remove, with the cost benefit of reuse of the fasteners during maintenance operations on the equipment. Fasteners used in critical applications are often safety-wired together to reduce the chance of loosening with vibration, which is very labor-intensive and therefore costly. A mechanic can typically safety-wire 10 fasteners per hour at an hourly labor rate of $150. In that same period of time, over 300 of Enduralock’s Silver Lock fasteners could be installed. Enduralock’s Tidal Lock Fastener and its Locking Header Bolt technologies allow for permanence in the assembled joint due to their mechanical lock. They also provide for easy reversibility and reusability with a standard hex socket which disengages the mechanical lock. In vibration testing, Enduralock fasteners survived 10x the aerospace requirement without failure. Reusability has been demonstrated to 250x. If bolt elongation occurs over time, the fastener can be easily retensioned with a standard socket. They remain locked even with loss of preload (clamping force), so they are unaffected by thermal changes in the equipment or the environment causing expansion or contraction of the bolts with resultant loss of preload. In summary, by developing and testing Enduralock’s fasteners as substitution components for B-1, B-2, and KC-135 ground support equipment, the reliability of the equipment will be improved, and less maintenance of the equipment will be required. This will result in improved maintenance times for the B-1, B-2, and KC-135 aircraft.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2022
DOD
USAF
Amount: $1,249,914 Topic: AF221-DCSO1
Enduralock’s proposal is to improve flight line maintenance times on the B-1, B-2, and KC-135 aircraft by developing its mechanically locking, high vibration resistant fasteners, self-aligning nut plates, and locking V-Band clamps as component substitutions. In vibration testing, Enduralock fasteners survived 10x the aerospace requirement. They remain locked even with loss of preload (clamping force). Fasteners used in critical aerospace applications are often safety-wired together to reduce the chance of loosening with vibration, which is very labor-intensive and therefore costly. Alternatively, castle nuts with cotter pins are utilized to secure fasteners in critical applications, but this can also be very labor intensive. A mechanic can typically safety-wire 10 fasteners per hour at an hourly labor rate of $150. In that same period of time, over 300 of Enduralock’s Silver Lock fasteners could be installed. Castle nuts and cotter pins are frequently used in the landing gear assembly of aircraft. Being a critical application, a narrow range of torque is typically specified by the engineers. A castle nut only has 6 gradations of torque per revolution. If the mechanic attempts to apply the nut with the prescribed torque, and the slots of the nut do not line up with the pre-drilled hole in the bolt to place the pin, he removes the nut and tries another. He will continue this process occasionally for up to one hour for one bolt. Enduralock’s fasteners have 36 gradations of torque per revolution. It is, therefore, likely that the mechanic will achieve the prescribed torque on the first attempt resulting in a significant reduction of maintenance time. V-Band clamps employ safety wire to lock them, but this is labor-intensive and costly. Enduralock will apply its fastener locking mechanism in the development of a V-Band clamp that mechanically locks and is high vibration resistant, which will reduce maintenance time and cost. Nut plates are used as the female receptacle for bolts attaching aircraft access panels. With current nut plates, there is radial flotation of the nut element, but the nut element will not “tip” to engage an off-axis bolt. This results in a significant amount of maintenance time for panels such as the fuselage fairing and leading and trailing wing edge panels, as mechanics need to line up all bolts in axis with their nut plates, before tightening the first. Bolts are captured to the panel with retaining rings that slide longitudinally on the bolt, but these can bind and break leading to foreign object debris (FOD). The nut element of Enduralock’s nut plate will “tip” to engage an off-axis bolt and then self-align, and it allows for a fixed position bolt retaining ring reducing FOD. It results in a significant reduction of maintenance time. In summary, by developing and testing Enduralock’s fasteners, nut plates, and V-Band clamps as substitution components, flight line maintenance times will improve for the B-1, B-2, and KC-135.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2022
DOD
USAF
Amount: $249,993 Topic: AF21S-TCSO1
Enduralock proposes a project to develop a novel latching and fastening mechanism for On-Orbit Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (OSAM) applications. As the US Air Force and Department of Defense is investing in the implementation of a modular space v
Tagged as:
STTR
Phase I
2022
DOD
USAF
Amount: $749,609 Topic: AF203-CSO1
Enduralock’s proposal is to develop the first mechanically locking, high vibration resistant fastener, that is reversible and reusable with a standard hexagonal socket in sizes of No.4 – No.10. A requirement of this research and development is that the fastener will remain mechanically locked even with loss of preload (clamping force), so that the fastened assembly will be unaffected by the extreme environmental temperatures (and the corresponding thermal expansion and contraction of the fastener components) experienced in space. The vibration resistance of the proposed fasteners will be comparable to a larger variant of the proposed technology, which was previously shown to survive 10 times the aerospace vibration requirement (NAS1312-7). The project will include design and finite element analysis to optimize the fasteners for performance and for manufacturability. This will be followed by qualification testing of the fasteners. Enduralock also proposes research and development of a novel fastener assembly automation process using a robotic arm and development of ultrasound preload measurement technology for reliable installation of fasteners in a space environment. The final deliverable of this project will be a fastener that could eventually replace fasteners that are currently safety-wired together in missiles, commercial satellites, space vehicles, space structures, and aircraft.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase II
2021
DOD
USAF
Amount: $49,990 Topic: AF203-CSO1
Enduralock proposes a project to develop the first mechanically locking, high vibration resistant fasteners in sizes of No. 4 - No. 10. Missiles, launch vehicles, and their satellite payloads undergo tremendous vibration. Safety wire is currently used to try to prevent fasteners from loosening, but this is labor intensive, and the wire is subject to breakage. Enduralock’s proposed solution would provide for more security in the mounting of electronic components and would also allow for the elimination of safety wire within missiles and satellites. This would dramatically reduce the time and cost of production, while also providing for a significant improvement in reliability. For fastener sizes of ¼” and greater, Enduralock currently offers the first mechanically locking, high vibration resistant permanent fasteners, that for maintenance are reversible and reusable with a standard hex socket. They are ideal for critical applications, as the fasteners remain locked even with total loss of preload. Enduralock fasteners survived 10x the aerospace vibration requirement for a self-locking nut, and reusability has been demonstrated to 250 cycles. Enduralock has obtained 2 new National Aerospace Standards, and it won a NASA competition last year. The challenge, however, is to miniaturize these fasteners for use in missiles and satellites.
Tagged as:
SBIR
Phase I
2021
DOD
USAF
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