On the effects of strain wave gear kinematic errors on the behaviour of an electro-mechanical flight control actuator for eVTOL aircrafts

Abstract. In recent years, the increasingly growing overcrowding of urban environments and resulting road traffic congestion have pushed toward search for alternative mobility solutions, among which there are novel Urban Air Mobility (UAM) technologies. The UAM, together with development electric actuation systems, would allow decongesting streets by exploiting sky using Vertical Take-Off Landing (eVTOL) aircrafts. air vehicles primarily based on fully electrical flight control systems rotary output. Since such technology is relatively new unproven, Prognostic Health Management (PHM) algorithms, able to continuously monitor health status particular interest. diffusion these strongly depends general confidence possible customers. present paper proposes a preliminary study effects kinematic error Strain Wave Gear (SWG), most used reducer this kind applications, behaviour an Electro-Mechanical Actuator (EMA) as actuator eVTOL aircraft. simulation results show how unavoidable affects EMA performances its presence can be detected quantified in strain wave gears.