Date of Award

3-23-2018

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering

Department

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics

First Advisor

Anthony N. Palazotto, PhD.

Abstract

While aircraft control surfaces traditionally use hydraulic actuators, electromechanical actuators (EMAs) are interesting as they have potential to be lighter, lower maintenance, and more robust. However, EMAs require more research regarding force-fight characteristics, power requirements, performance specifications, and more. The Air Force Research Laboratory is conducting some of this research, and operates a test rig which provides a passive load to a pair of EMAs. This rig is designed for simple test profiles for investigating force-fight; if it could be used to represent actual flight profiles, the rig could accommodate a wider variety of tests. The focus of this project is to evaluate the test rig’s suitability for such profiles by developing a rig model, comparing data from this model to flight data, and finally by comparing test rig data to both flight and model data. The model that was developed was able to reproduce several profiles representative of those an aileron control actuator would experience during flight. Validation of these profiles on the test rig has shown accurate replication of flight data with rig hardware and rig test data with the model, indicating that the test rig would be useful for actuator characterization and design.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENY-MS-18-M-263

DTIC Accession Number

AD1056578

Comments

AFIT designator mistyped on cover.

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