INTRINSICALLY FAULT TOLERANT ACTUATION THROUGH HIGH REDUNDANCY

Lead Research Organisation: Loughborough University
Department Name: Electronic, Electrical & Systems Enginee

Abstract

This proposal is based upon a novel idea in which actuators for high-integrity and/or safety-critical applications are provided by a system comprising a number of actuation elements. These elements are configured and controlled in such a way that faults in individual elements are inherently accommodated without resulting in a failure of the complete actuation system in contrast to current technology in which a relatively low level of functional redundancy is used. The research proposal is scientifically challenging and highly original, as well as being timely from an industrial viewpoint because of the burgeoning interest in high-integrity mechatronic applications.
 
Description We have demonstrated the feasibility of the high redundancy approach for actuation, which can either to replace or to complement established methods.
Specifically we have analysed a number of actuator configurations in a formal manner in order to determine how they might be applied, and assessed both their ability to tolerate faults and their reliability. This has been extended to develop control strategies that will tolerate faults in individual actuation elements while maintaining overall robust performance. Software and hardware concept demonstrators have been created, and some outline studies undertaken for associated health monitoring of the actuation elements.
Exploitation Route The concept is ahead of current industrial thinking and so immediate applications are limited. We submitted a second EPSRC grant proposal "Technologies For High Integrity Actuation Using High Redundancy" in order to specifically identify innovative technologies for the actuation elements, but this was not funded. Hence we are developing technologies via PhD student studies.
Sectors Aerospace, Defence and Marine,Energy,Transport
URL http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/eese/research/systems/control-systems/projects/seese-high-redundancy-actuation-tab-content.html
 
Description One of the project partners wrote an exploitation report and the following is a quote: "The idea of actuators that do not fail, just degrade, is potentially extremely interesting to the company because assuring continued operation of a variety of systems, specially flight control, in the presence of actuator failures is a major task. Clearly the work has been focused upon proving the concept, and this has been done very effectively, but of course there is still much work to do to raise the Technology Readiness Level of this research above what has already been achieved."
First Year Of Impact 2011
Sector Aerospace, Defence and Marine
 
Description BAE Systems Eng Innovation Centre 
Organisation BAE Systems
Department Systems Engineering Innovation Centre (SEIC) BAE Systems
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Academic/University 
PI Contribution The idea of actuators that do not fail, just degrade, is potentially extremely interesting to the company because assuring continued operation of a variety of systems, especially flight control, in the presence of actuator failures is a major task. Clearly the work has been focused upon proving the concept, and this has been done very effectively, but of course there is still much work to do to raise the Technology Readiness Level of this research above what has already been achieved.
Collaborator Contribution The partner's expertise was sought at a variety of points in the project. Also they were always invited to join in the various technical and steering meetings, and these have been an important means of both feeding in the partner's perspectives and keeping them up to date with progress.
Impact (Awaiting developing of technological solutions for high redundancy actuator configurations)
Start Year 2006
 
Description SMAC Europe Limited 
Organisation SMAC Europe Limited
Country United Kingdom 
Sector Private 
PI Contribution Insights into advanced actuation concepts
Collaborator Contribution Knowledge of actuation technology in general and electro-magnetic technology in particular
Impact Demonstration of HRA concept using electro-magnetic actuation elements
Start Year 2006