Intelligent Electromechanical Actuators to Modernize Ship Operations

The Navy is determining the viability of replacing hydraulic actuation for Navy platforms by using advanced torque-dense electromechanical actuators (EMAs). The goal is to create a Standardized Actuator Building Block (SABB) to open up the ship architecture, enhancing performance while reducing the threat of obsolescence, enable rapid reconfiguration (fight through) after attack, expand performance, and dramatically shorten the associated logistics trail. This can make refreshment even at sea feasible with significant improvements in ship availability and reduced dock time. Cost is also of increasing interest to the Navy in order to produce more combatant platforms for a given budget. SABBs can be downgraded (to reduce cost) or upgraded (to meet more demanding performance requirements) all within the same set of standards (quick-change interfaces, sizes, geometry, etc.). These modules can be rapidly replaced even by a nominally trained technician (reducing training costs) and therefore reducing the number of ship personnel. This paper outlines the merits of the crucial component to achieve the abovementioned objectives: the EMA. The EMA is the exact equivalent of the computer chip to computers-to drive anything that moves on the ship. In conjunction with the intelligent actuator control framework, developed based on extensive research in robotics and intelligent machines at The University of Texas Robotics Research Group, this technology can now be leveraged to make a significant contribution to the modernization of future ships and submarines.