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The purpose of this study is to set up a laboratory test apparatus to analyze aircraft flight control EMAS' electrical and thermal energy flow under transient and dynamic flight profiles. A hydraulic load frame was used to exert load to the EMA. The actuator was placed within an environmental chamber which simulates ambient temperature as function of altitude. The simulated movement or stroke was carried out by the EMA. The under test EMA's dynamic load, stroke, and ambient temperature were synchronized through a real time Labview DAQ system. Motor drive voltage, current, regenerative current, and motor drive and motor winding temperature were recorded for energy analysis. The EMA under test was subjected to both transient and holding load laid out in a test matrix.

For the design process of the class of aircraft known as an efficient supersonic air vehicle, particular attention must be paid to the propulsion system design as a whole including installation effects integrated into a vehicle performance model. The propulsion system assumed for the efficient supersonic air vehicle considered in this paper is a three-stream variable cycle engine. A computational model has been built with the Numerical Propulsion System Simulation (NPSS) software to analyze this engine. This engine model was based on the generic adaptive turbine engine model developed at the turbine engines division of the US Air Force Research Laboratory. Along with this variable cycle NPSS model, a three-ramp external compression inlet model meant for conceptual design has been developed. This model will be used to capture inlet installation effects, including those attributable to angle of attack changes at supersonic Mach numbers.

Actuators are critical engine and flight control components used in aerospace applications for motion and fuel controls. All aircraft today contain three primary types of actuators; electro-mechanical actuators (EMA), electro-hydraulic actuators (EHA), hydraulic actuators. Actuators control thrust vectoring of the main engines during powered ascent, movement of the aerodynamic control surfaces, and the positioning of propulsion system geometry and fuel/air control valves. EMAs consist of an electric motor and gear-train to reduce speed, translate motion, and provide appropriate load torque. Electro-hydraulic actuators are self contained systems that combine the benefits of an electric system with the benefits of hydraulic systems. EHAs use an electric motor to drive a hydraulic pump which develops hydraulic pressure to act on a cylinder to provide the mechanical actuation energy. Hydraulic actuators use a centralized hydraulic pump that supplies the required pressure.

Modern propulsion system designers face challenges that require that aircraft and engine manufacturers improve performance as well as reduce the life-cycle cost (LCC). These improvements will require a more efficient, more reliable, and more advanced propulsion system. The concept of smart components is built around actively controlling the engine and the aircraft to operate optimally. Usage of smart components intelligently increases efficiency and system safety throughout the flight envelope, all while meeting environmental challenges. This approach requires an integration and optimization, both at the local level and the system level, to reduce cost. Interactions between the various subsystems must be understood through the use of modeling and simulation. This is accomplished by starting with individual subsystem models and combining them into a complete system model. Hierarchical, decentralized control reduces cost and risk by enabling integration and modularity.