Abstract: Within examples, remotely controlled and thermally managed systems for actuation of components in a wind tunnel model are described. A wind tunnel test environment may provide ambient to cryogenic temperature conditions to reproduce aerodynamic flight Reynolds number conditions. Example systems comprise a modular test assembly mounted on a test component, and the test component includes at least one movable surface and is configured for placement in the wind tunnel. An actuator is included within the modular test assembly and coupled to the at least one movable surface of the test component, and a temperature sensor is included to provide temperature of an exterior of the modular test assembly. In addition, a controller is in communication with the actuator and the temperature sensor, and is configured to remotely cause the actuator to move the at least one movable surface through a range of motion.

Abstract: Within examples, remotely controlled and thermally managed systems for actuation of components in a wind tunnel model are described. A wind tunnel test environment may provide ambient to cryogenic temperature conditions to reproduce aerodynamic flight Reynolds number conditions. Example systems comprise a modular test assembly mounted on a test component, and the test component includes at least one movable surface and is configured for placement in the wind tunnel. An actuator is included within the modular test assembly and coupled to the at least one movable surface of the test component, and a temperature sensor is included to provide temperature of an exterior of the modular test assembly. In addition, a controller is in communication with the actuator and the temperature sensor, and is configured to remotely cause the actuator to move the at least one movable surface through a range of motion.

Abstract: The present invention presents a system for a compound actuator. The system includes first and second electrode layers each including two electrode sections, an intermediate electrode layer between the first and second electrode layers, and first and second electrostrictive materials that change length in an applied electrical field. The first electrostrictive material is positioned between the first and intermediate electrode layers. The second electrostrictive material is positioned between the intermediate and second electrode layers. The first electrostrictive material has a first length adjoining the first electrode section and a second length adjoining the second electrode section. The second electrostrictive material has a third length adjoining the fourth electrode section and a fourth length adjoining the fifth electrode section.

Abstract: An impedance tuning system, especially for a cellular telephone system. The system can be used to match the impedance of an antenna element with that of an output stage of a transmitter driving the antenna element. The system includes a piezo capacitor in parallel with the magnetostrictive inductor to form an LC circuit. A voltage controller applies a voltage bias signal to the piezo capacitor and a current controller applies a current bias signal to the inductor. A primary controller monitors the frequency of the output signal from the transmitter and controls the voltage and current controllers as needed to alter the impedance of the system as needed to match the impedance of the antenna element with that of the output stage of the transmitter. In an alternative form an ultrasonic sensor is provided.