Actuation

Flight Control Actuation

Aircraft flight control systems are evolving from leaky, bulky, and heavy hydraulic systems towards more electric, computerized and autonomous systems. Honeywell has high pedigree in the design, development and production of electro-mechanical (EM) actuators that are smaller, lighter, more reliable, more cost-efficient, and have greater power density than typical aerospace-grade actuators available today. Our novel designs are scalable in size, fault and jam tolerant.

Our actuators have built in position sensors, integrated motor controls and redundancy, and are fully tailorable to various force or torque ranges as needed by the application. When coupled with Honeywell’s Flight Management Systems, deliver a fully integrated offering that provides customers with Prognostic Health Monitoring and seamless system integration to ensure the best Flight Surface Control experience to the end user.

Missile Actuation

Honeywell’s missile steering actuation and electronic control systems are the most precise and speed-responsive systems available today. Our components and systems are typically the solution of choice for tactical, interceptor and other strategic high-performance missiles.

• CAS / Fin Control Actuation
  Our Control Actuation Systems and Fin Control Actuation Systems provide directional steering control to move tail fins and canards on tactical missiles and interceptors while operating inside the Earth's atmosphere (endo-atmospheric.) Among others, these actuation systems are used on Raytheon's Evolved Sea-Sparrow Missile and Lockheed Martin’s Extended Range Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System.
• TVC
  Our Thrust Vector Control Actuation Systems provide steering control to Missiles, Launch Vehicles & Spacecraft by gimbaling rocket engine nozzles to provide directional pitch and yaw control. Our products are used on multiple platforms such as the SR19, IRBM-DSC, Orion Service Module, RS-25, AR-1, SM3, Castor 4B, and eSR19.

Marine Actuation

Honeywell’s Marine Actuation Solutions use the latest electromechanical technologies to deliver precision load management and motion control solutions for an array of the most challenging actuation applications. Our precision, affordable solutions draw on several decades of experience and various electromechanical surface and submarine applications, as well as aircraft, space and missile platforms. Meeting customers’ needs for tailored solutions in harsh environments is built on this strong heritage.

• Permanent Magnet Electromechanical Actuators
  Honeywell’s marine electromechanical actuators provide long-life operation for shipboard control of valves (gate, globe, ball, butterfly and plug) performing utility functions such as fire main systems (AFFF), ventilation systems water systems (cooling, housekeeping, bilge) fuel, oil and steam (propulsion) in applications requiring up to 50 feet submergence. Unlike traditional systems, these actuators do not require the complex hydraulic or pneumatic infrastructures to operate and eliminates the ongoing issue of hydraulic leaks. Where applicable, our permanent magnet systems do not have copper windings, and are substantially more resistant to salt water and other contaminants found in harsh marine environments than other electric motors. Additionally, our systems do not suffer from field circuit losses, enabling higher efficiency and high power requirements in a smaller package.
• Electromechanical Actuator Cradle Lock System
  The Cradle Lock system consists of 48 linear Cradle Lock actuators and two Controllers used for torpedo indexing. Low acoustic levels are achieved by using three-phase sinusoidal current using space vector modulating algorithms.

Thrust Reverser Actuation System

As a pioneer in the early years of Thrust Reverser Actuation Systems (TRAS), our systems are built on a legacy of over 30,000 fielded systems. Our TRAS components and systems are the most modern, energy efficient, and reliable systems in operation today.

• Electromechanical Thrust Reverser Actuation System
  Honeywell was first to market with an Electromechanical thrust reverser actuation system (ETRAS), on the A380, and it is the most modern system in operation today. The ETRAS is a non-leaking, high-performance, digitally-controlled, actuation system that can translate the cowls from the stowed to the deployed position during reverser operation. Our system is capable of executing mid-stroke commands, has redundant safety features, and can provide prognostic and diagnostic information to the operator for enhanced fault isolation and maintenance capability. The system includes ballscrew actuators driven by a brushless DC motor with an aircraft-interfacing controller. Redundant lock features, manual over-rides, and sensor feedback complete the safety and maintenance features and allows for MMEL dispatch.

Engine Control Actuation

Honeywell engine control actuators drive some of the world’s most modern variable geometry control needs. Our weight-efficient and affordable solutions are based on decades of fueldraulic, pneumatic and electromechanical applications on commercial, military and business jet platforms. Our products adjust the position of valves to control bleed air transmission, and the position of compressor stator vanes to control air massflow and angle.

• VBVA
  The Variable Bleed Valve Actuator is a pneumatic, fuel-driven or electromechanical actuator which adjusts the position of engine bleed valves and provides feedback to the engine’s controller. This increases engine efficiency, especially in higher pressure ratio engines and is available in fire-resistant and fire proof versions. Through robust design technology, Honeywell has a proven pedigree offering the lowest weight option, capable of persisting the highest temperatures in the industry. Among others, this includes the CFM56-5B and LeapX-1B turbofan engines.
• GVA
  Hydraulically/Fueldraulically driven Guide Vane Actuators which position the compressor guide vanes as scheduled by the FADEC or ECU in conjunction with the Main Fuel Control. The actuator consists of a hydraulic driven piston, load carrying rod end bearing and an Electrohydraulic Servovalve (EHSV) and a resolver for feedback and loop closure
• Nozzle
  Over 10,000 Exhaust Nozzle Control Systems delivered since 1974. This mechanical system is driven by an air motor powered by engine compressor discharge air. The air motor drives five ball screw actuators through flexible drive cables. Control of the air motor is typically accomplished by a hydraulic servo signal, scheduled by the fuel control or can be controlled directly by the FADEC. This is a highly responsive system, with the air motor attaining 25,000 rpm during transients in order to meet the 0-to-100 percent per second slew requirements. The Air motor can be replaced with an Electric motor to drive the ball screws through the flexible drive cable.

Space Mechanisms

For more than half a century, Honeywell has been at the very heart of space programs, providing vital technologies, systems, ground systems engineering and operations to enable mission success. Operating for the entire duration of flight, Honeywell actuators are used on Launch Vehicles, Rockets, and Spacecraft for thrust vector control, berthing and docking, vibration control, solar array drive mechanisms, antennae pointing, and engine valve control.

• Radiation hardened systems and components
  Honeywell has more than 50 years in experience on the analysis and mitigation of the effects of radiation on commercial and military systems. Our Radiation Effect Center of Excellence has test equipment that can perform both prompt gamma testing (flash x-ray) and high/low dose rate total dose testing (irradiator). Honeywell is home to the Trusted Foundry facility for radiation hardened microelectronics. We are the leading supplier of radiation hardened microelectronics design, fabrication, assembly, test, and delivery of these complex components. These combined capabilities make Honeywell the lowest risk supplier for any radiation hardened electronics equipment in the industry. It also keeps end item systems’ cost low, as there will not be layers of cost and fees associated with any radiation hardened microelectronic components.
• NDS
  NASA Docking mechanism actuators support berthing of US commercial cargo and US commercial crew spacecraft with the International Space Station (ISS) Our products perform capture, lock, separation, and mating of electrical connections between visiting Spacecraft and the ISS. All systems include redundancy features, Space rated motors and materials, and compact designs to achieve high reliability for manned space use.
• Vibration Dampening
  Our patented technology solves complex vibration problems where structures need to remain structurally stiff in applications where a traditional viscoelastic damper is not sufficient due to complexity or environmental considerations e.g. proximity to heat/cold, chemicals. This technology is unique in that it allows for systems to remain structurally stiff, carrying large dynamic loads as necessary, and still provide up to 40% damping. The three-parameter technology is vastly superior to two parameter viscoelastic products because the stiffness parameters can be independently set from the damping parameters for highly predictable, linear performance. We have developed multiple vibration attenuation systems for Space applications that range from protecting satellites and equipment during launch to isolating delicate instruments from vibration during operation. The first application of this technology was isolating low level vibration disturbances generated by the attitude control reaction wheel assemblies from the fine pointing requirements in the Hubble Telescope. To this day, all 24 Vibration attenuation systems continue to function, after more than 25 years in Space operation. We then developed very rigid damping systems that were used to replace elements of a truss structure. These systems provided the same static stiffness as the elements they replaced, but drastically increased the dynamic stiffness while adding as much as 40% damping. Honeywell has recently started to apply our vibration damping technology into non-space applications, we believe that aerospace, marine and surface platforms will derive significant benefits from this proven technology.