Microsemi has announced its participation in a multi-disciplinary consortium funded by the European Union (Seventh Framework Programme, FP7) tasked with developing standardised Electro Mechanical Actuators (EMA) for aerospace applications to eliminate hydraulic circuits, pumps and reservoirs.
The aim of the three year project is to reduce aircraft weight as well as cut actuator cost.
The project, referred to as Actuation 2015, will develop and validate a common set of standardised, modular and scalable EMA resources for all actuators (flight control, high lift, main landing gear, door and thrust reverser) in all types of aircraft.
The work will draw on European Union and national projects to address power electronics, operation in harsh conditions and jam-tolerant EMA design.
Microsemi said it will participate in the development of a specification and subsequent design, manufacture and test of a standardised power module.
The work for this project will be performed in Microsemi’s facility near Bordeaux, France, which has been designing and manufacturing power modules for the aerospace industry for more than 15 years.
The all-electric aircraft (AEA) is a major target for next-generation aircraft to reduce consumption of non-propulsive power and thus fuel burn. EMAs are mandatory, but technical improvements are necessary to meet the requirements established by ACARE (Advisory Council of Aeronautics Research in Europe) and airframers.
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