Use of a High Inertia Motor with an Electric Actuator

This analysis was funded by NASA Glenn Research Center to determine the effects of adding inertia to the continuously rotating electric motor that supplies power to one type of electric actuation, namely an integrated actuator package (IAP™). This type of electric actuation uses a constant direction and constant speed motor and regulates pump flow to position an actuator. Because the motor design inherently has inertia, the resultant stored energy from the rotating inertia can be used to supply energy for short duration power demands from the electric actuation system.

This study determined the potential savings in power draw that can be obtained for electric actuators operating with various amounts of inertia augmentation. The power savings can be used to reduce power generation and distribution system requirements.