Electrofluidic applications
Categories
Light-controlled mechanisms based on photomobile polymers for seamless integration in demanding environments
14 June 2024
Photomobile polymers (PMP) are active materials that convert light into mechanical movement. They can be used in energy harvesters, light-controlled actuators, or mechanisms. Because they are controlled by light and work without electricity, they offer unique opportunities for designing devices that can be integrated seamlessly and that require virtually no maintenance. This finds interest in fields like nuclear energy, medical implants, biology, space, or Internet of Things (IoT). Cedrat Technologies have designed, built, and tested 3 proof of concept prototypes: a mechanical switch, a mechanical valve, and an optical deflector. The present paper will present these 3 concepts and the tests results in detail.
Optimized high-efficiency MICA actuators for space compressors
14 June 2024
Moving Iron Controllable Actuators MICA™ are magnetic linear actuators from CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (CTEC) that find interests in applications requiring high-force density and low heating. Because of these attractive performances, some space applications such as ZBO Gas compressors and Pulse Tube Cryocooler are considering their use in operational missions. However, this last application requires the demonstration of additional features, notably a high efficiency, a long lifetime and a good force homogeneity to minimize the generation of exported micro-vibrations. To fulfil these additional features, CTEC has developed an optimised MICA following the specifications of the Pulse Tube Cryocooler (PTC) of AIR LIQUIDE. The paper will present the performance progresses obtained on this customized MICA, from modelling prediction to lab tests of Engineering Models.
Pulsed air high performances valves improve aerodynamic flow over airplane wings
19 June 2023
The objective of the European Cleansky project is to develop new technologies for future aircraft enabling a 20-30% fuel burn reduction and related CO2 emissions and a similar reduction in noise levels compared to current aircraft. One of the ways to reach this goal is to improve the aerodynamic performances of current high lift devices. Active flow control is unanimously seen as the best mean to reach this objective. By suppressing flow separation and/or delaying stall, active flow control will increase wing aerodynamic performances. The partnership between CTEC and ONERA in the framework of the VIPER project has led to the design, manufacturing and test of an innovative pulsed jet actuator based on a CTEC amplified piezo-actuator (APA). Its aim is to provide a pulsed sonic jet up to 500Hz with a mass flow around 34 g/s through a slot 1mm wide and 80mm long. Coupled with CTEC SA75D switching power amplifier this actuator produces the expected sonic jet with an electrical consumption around 40W thanks to energy recovery. The results of the actuator characterisation (mechanical, fluidic) are presented in this paper.
Advanced Landing Gears for Improved Impact Absorption
6 January 2008
The presented project ADLAND (AST3-CT-2004-502793) dealt with evaluating the options for adaptive shock absorbers to be applied in aircraft landing gears. Analytical design procedures were developed to simulate different potential design options and a best practice solution determined. The different hardware components regarding adaptive shock absorbers were then developed and tested with regard to adaptive landing gear model. The objectives of the project were: to develop a concept of adaptive shock-absorbers, to develop new numerical tools for design of adaptive absorbers and for simulation of the adaptive structural response to an impact scenario, to develop technology for actively controlled shock-absorbers applicable in landing gears, to design, produce and perform repetitive impact tests of the adaptive landing gear model with high impact energy
dissipation effect, to design, produce and test in flight the chosen full-scale model of the adaptive landing gear.
