Electromechanical actuator for helicopter rotor damper application

Development trends in aeronautics involve a better employment of electric motors also in safety critical hazardous applications till now covered by mechanical systems. The electromechanical actuators are gaining a growing interest thanks to their force and power density capability, and the high dynamical performance by electronic control, allowing the design of very compact high efficiency drives with satisfactory characteristics from the reliability point of view. The present paper highlights the actuation solution adopted in the development of a rotor damper system for helicopter application, based on permanent magnet motors. Design details will be presented focused on the integration of the electrical machine in the specific application. Reports of analyses and tests carried out on the motor prototypes are included to confirm the capabilities and the performances of the proposed solution.