The Clean Sky call (CS-SFWA) requested the development, manufacturing and test of a mock-up of a flow control actuator subsystem. The mock-up shall simulate a flight-ready actuator prototype for controlling flow separation on the high lift devices of transport and business aircraft.

CEDRAT TECHNOLOGIES (coordinator, SME) and ONERA/GMT/DERM (Major Sub Contractor, Research Establishment) forms a consortium using their shared experience on innovative electromechanical actuators and flow control valves to meet the SFWA requirements.

CTEC has experience in developing actuators & systems (including valves) for embedded devices. Historic sector is space. Since 1995, CTEC has developed many space compliant systems in behalf of CNES, ESA and NASA. Other serious customers like Thales, Agusta Wesland, ONERA, MBDA… are sensitive to products robustness, quality and project management. CTEC owns patents, belongs to OSEO Excellence and is regularly granted with prises.

DERM has already designed and manufactured several high-performance pulsed jets valves using CTEC actuators and electronics. Integrated inside models, the actuators allow DERM to perform flow control studies in wind tunnel conditions.

CTEC and DERM have worked for 4 years in a close partnership on high-performance pulsed jets valves based on piezoelectric actuators. Results are very encouraging.

CTEC and DERM have identified many potential progresses which could lead to higher performance valves. Lighter actuators & more efficient electronics lead to higher valve bandwidth, precise sensors lead to control quality, dedicated piezo material lead to better efficiency…

CTEC & DERM were confident to meet the objectives of the call and established the proposal VIPER.

The following WBS was proposed:

WP1 – Management

WP2 – Concept Analysis of VIPER & resulting Trade-Off Matrix:

WP3 – Detailed design of VIPER

WP4 – Manufacturing of a 1:1 scale VIPER on a 400mm span

WP5 – Tests of VIPER

WP6 – Synthesis"