Vishwa Robotics plans to develop and demonstrate a novel, shock proof electromechanical actuator called CESAR for Unmanned Undersea and Surface Vehicles (UxV) control surfaces in a high sea-state ocean environment. Unlike conventional surface ships, UxVs are expected to survive and operate in (rather than retreat from) extreme ocean environmental conditions (World Meteorological Organization (WMO) sea-state 7 and above). The UxVs control surfaces and actuators must be capable of sustaining high levels of force and acceleration incurred when being tossed and dropped by large waves while also being sufficiently compact and lightweight to be integrated into the platform. Conventional commercial actuator components are comprised of a motor and gearing; the gears and associated bearings are especially vulnerable to damage under high shock levels under huge back driving forces. CESAR provides high power density similar to hydraulic pistons while providing reliability and low maintenance of electromechanical drive. Unlike artificial muscle actuators such as EAP, the Vishwa CESAR can function at any depth, any environment such as chemical, corrosive, high temperature, cryogenic conditions or high pressure and space. Also unlike artificial muscle actuators CESAR provides force density and bidirectional displacement comparable to hydraulic pistons.
Benefit: The Navy uses commercial UxV platforms and tethered Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), which are also used by the oil industry and ocean scientists. CESAR actuators could be installed into ruggedized variants of commercial UxVs and ROVs. CESAR actuators could also provide control surfaces for other sea craft and also find applications as high efficiency, low noise electromechanical muscles for robotics for space and military applications.
Keywords: Electroactive polymer (EAP), Electroactive polymer (EAP), Robotics, Electrohydraulics, unmanned surface vehicle (USV), Unmanned Undersea Vehicle (UUV), ROV, actuator, Dielectric Elastomer, Artificial Muscles
