Objective
On spacecrafts reduction of mass and power consumption are a major issue. On the other hand, in case of mechanisms for Solar Arrays or antennas big masses have to be moved and kept in position for long times. Harmonic Drives would fulfil the requirements: high gear ratios enable the use of small actuator motors (low mass and power), they provide high stiffness and high precision even at very low speeds.
However, the use is presently limited by the need of grease lubrication. This is linked with risk of outgassing, contamination of other parts and limits the usage in temperatures approx. -50°C to +70°C. The use of solid lubricants typically for bearings may extremely widen the usage to at least -170°C to 300°C.
First trials to apply these technologies for space use based on commercial available coatings (partially used in space bearings) did not lead to success, due to the strongly differing mechanical and contact situation in the Harmonic Drive.
Therefore, project HarmLES will focus on the development of solid lubricant coatings for Harmonic Drives in space. This is seen as an integrated approach between gear design and material adaptation and the application of a suitable coating. It will start with a promising composite coating which has already been tested in space. On the other hand, a huge variety of coatings are available that claim “self-lubricating”, they will be benchmarked for their applicability in space. Besides space related lab-testing, application testing will ensure the proper feedback. The overall, tribosystem will be re-considered on bases of FEM-simulations and alternative material solutions.
An end-user group consisting of several industrial end-users from space will be involved to recommend the research path by defining requirements for later applications. The consortium is small, but it covers the major players and reflects existing expertise in this field to perform the project successfully.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering tribology lubrication
- engineering and technology mechanical engineering vehicle engineering aerospace engineering astronautical engineering spacecraft
- engineering and technology materials engineering coating and films
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP7-SPACE-2010-1
See other projects for this call
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
2700 Wiener Neustadt
Austria
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.