Electric actuation system duty cycles

An important criterion in specifying an electric actuation system (EAS) is the duty cycle to which it must be designed and tested. The author describes the derivation of such a duty cycle in a very fundamental fashion. This fundamental duty cycle would of course be further refined in a real exercise, the treatment becoming as eloquent as the problem demands. The mission profile (altitude and velocity vs. time) of a generic transport aircraft along with actuator force and rate requirements is the starting point for this exercise. From these data, a fundamental duty cycle, load, heat dissipation, and power required are estimated as a function of mission time. This leads to a discussion of EAS circuit design impact and to the derivation of a limited life test duty cycle