Research of new conceptions for aircraft actuators are gaining prominence, mainly due to the low energy efficiency of the current dominant systems in the sector. More Electrical Aircraft – MEA is a concept that has guided the realization of several researches on electro-mechanical (EMA) and electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHA). Airbus A380 and Boeing 787, for instance, present some innovations with origin in these researches. However, for safety reasons, the primary control surfaces are normally driven by conventional servo-hydraulic systems, which leaves this subject open to new researches. Presented this scenario, the Laboratory of Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems – LASHIP, the Division of Fluid and Mechatronic Systems – FLUMES, and the Svenska Aeroplan AB – SAAB started the development of a new conception of flight surface actuation, applying digital fluid power strategies, thus appointing the Digital Hydraulic Actuator – DHA. In this scope, this abstract aims to present all the steps of the DHA development, furthermore, shows the research’s status and future challenges to bring closer academic studies with the aero industry. The extended abstract was organized through a timeline with all publications about the DHA concept written by these research groups. Also, the existing research project is presented, where the goals are the solution of intrinsic problems of the digital hydraulic systems and the reliability analysis of this concept.
Digital Hydraulic Actuator, Digital Hydraulics, Aircraft Actuator, Energy Efficiency
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[3] Palmieri, M., Pispola, G., Curri, D., Braccesi, C., Cianetti, F. “Electromechanical actuation for landing gear application: A case study on end-stroke impact in case of high speed free-fall emergency extension.,” Recent Advances in Aerospace Actuation Systems and Components. Toulouse, France. pp. 69-76, Jun 2018.
[4] Winkler, B. “Recent Advances in Digital Hydraulic Components and Applications,” The Ninth Workshop on Digital Fluid Power. Aalborg, Denmark. Sep 2017.
[5] Linjama, M. “Digital Fluid Power – State of the Art,” The Twelfth Scandinavian International Conference on Fluid Power. Tampere, Finland. May 2011.
[6] Bender, N. C., Pedersen, H. C., Plockinger, A., Winkler, B. “Reliability Analysis of a Hydraulicon/Off Fast Switching Valve,” The Ninth Workshop on Digital Fluid Power. Aalborg, Denmark. Sep 2017.
[7] Ersfolk, J., Ahopelto, M., Lund, W., Wiik, J., Waldén, M., Linjama, M., Westerholm J. “Online Fault Identification of Digital Hydraulic Valves Using a Combined Model-Based and Data-Driven Approach,” Computer Science. Mar 2018.
[8] Scheidl, R., Winkler, B., Plöckinger A, “Digital Fluid Power in the 7th Year of DFP Workshops,” The Seventh Workshop on Digital Fluid Power. Linz, Austria. pp 4-8. Feb 2015.
[9] Belan, H. C.; Locateli, C. C.; De Pieri, E. R.; De Negri, V. J. “Aumento da Eficiência Energética em Sistemas Hidráulicos Utilizando Hidráulica Digital,” XX Congresso Brasileiro de Automática- CBA, Belo Horizonte-MG, Brasil, 2014.
[10] Belan, H. C., Locateli, C. C., Lantto, B., Krus, P., De Negri, V. J. “Digital Secondary Control Architecture for Aircraft Application,” The Seventh Workshop on Digital Fluid Power. Linz, Austria. Feb 2015.
[11] Belan, H. C., Krus, P., Lantto, B., De Negri, V. J. “Digital Hydraulic Actuator (DHA) Concept for Aircraft Actuation Systems,” Recent Advances in Aerospace Actuation Systems and Components. Toulouse, France. Mar 2016.
[12] Bregalda, R. “Development and Analyses of Electronic Device to Accelerate Solenoid Valves for Application in Digital Hydraulic,” End of Course Work - Federal Institute of Santa Catarina – IFSC. Chapecó – SC, Brazil. Jul 2016.
[13] Bregalda, R.; Kulman, C.; Belan, H. C. “Development and Analyses of Electronic Device to Accelerate Solenoid Valves for Application in Digital Hydraulic,” In: 12th IEEE/IAS International Conference on Industry Applications - INDUSCON, Curitiba-PR, Brazil. Nov 2016.
[14] Belan, H. C., Fallgatter, R. H., Bregalda, R., De Negri, V. J.” Sizing and Implementation Technique for a Digital Hydraulic System,” IX Congresso Nacional de Engenharia Mecânica. Fortaleza – CE, Brazil. Aug 2016.
[15] Pinto, L. P. G., Belan, H. C., Locateli, C. C., Krus, P., De Negri, V. J., Lantto, B. “New perspectives on digital hydraulics for aerospace applications,” Aerospace Technology Congress. Solna, Stockholm. Oct 2016.
[16] Belan, H. C. “Digital Hydraulic Actuation System for Aircraft with Focus in Energy Efficiency,” Doctor thesis. In: Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC. Florianópolis-SC, Brazil. Mar 2018.
[17] Cruz, D. P. M. “Analyses of the Digital Hydraulic System for Aircraft with Focus in Energy Efficiency,” Master thesis. In: Federal University of Santa Catarina – UFSC. Florianópolis-SC, Brazil. Jun 2018.
[18] Pettersson R. “Safety Analysis on Digital Hydraulic,” Master thesis. In: Linköping University – LiU. Linköping, Sweden. Jun 2018.
[19] Mantovani, I, J., Belan, H. C., De Negri, V. J. “Analyses of Switching Between Valves for Digital Hydraulic Actuator (DHA),” XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Automática. João Pessoa-PB, Brazil. Set 2018.
