SBIR-STTR Award

The Hangar Bay Deck Edge and Division doors, on aircraft carriers are in need of modification, in order to minimize maintenance and increase reliability. In both current applications, guide rails are recessed into the deck and collect debris, non-skid grit, and oily dirt. Additionally, the wire rope system for operating the doors jams, sometimes causing the rope to part, resulting in significant down time. The LCE/Curtiss-Wright/Burke team proposes changing the door operation system to include electro magnetic levitation (MAGLEV) to raise the door panels a minimum height to release friction. Two independent magnetic lift systems will be utilized for primary and secondary operation systems. The door will be modified to eliminate the blast guide, which slides in the recessed deck trough. The deck guide trough will be eliminated and replaced with 1-2 inch "speed bump" on which the door will travel, that will be recessed into the bottom of the door panels, providing horizontal structure support. The wire rope system will be replaced with worm gear type linear actuators. A secondary pneumatic actuator will be utilized as the secondary means to operate the doors. A control system will provide operation, alarm signals, system status and self-diagnostics. Benefits The development of a reliable, quick acting, easy to maintain fire/blast door system, that is scalable to any application, would be highly valuable to Navy ship design managers charged with designing warships that are more capable, while requiring less manpower. Throughout the modern era the US Navy has realized, on numerous occasions, the benefits of superior damage control and firefighting capabilities. Unfortunately, most of the current capabilities in use today, are manpower intensive, which is a luxury the Navy of today cannot afford. The proposed drive system, will maintain the DC and firefighting capability currently employed in CVN design and operation, while increasing the reliability of this system, decreasing required operation and maintenance manpower and simplifying operations. Keywords Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV), Fire doors, Intelligent Code, Worm Gear, railroad magnets

Build and demonstrate a working proof of principle model for validation of the motor design process and verification of the proposed concept. The model will consist of a single sided moto

Keywords:
Linear motion, horizontal movement, intelligent controls, alternate drive system, door mechanisms, reliable door system.r stator, a slotted runner plate, and a cart capable of moving a hanging weight in the horizontal direction. The motor design will allow for the use of an existing motor drive (inverter) without the need for coil switches, and will demonstrate the fundamental operating principles of a single sided linear motor. The motor stator will be made up of a laminated iron core, and a three-phase copper winding, similar to most other linear motors and rotating machines. The moving component, or runner plate, will be made up of a laminated slotted iron core and copper bars, similar to the rotor and cage of a three phase induction motor (except laid out flat). The lower section of the door, capable of withstanding all required blast effects, will be proven utilizing a 3-D mechanical model. This effort is proposed in this solicitation.