High-Fidelity Digital-Twin Validation and Creation of an Experimental Database for Electromechanical Actuators Inclusive of Failures

In the aerospace sector, the "more electric" philosophy recommends a gradual deployment of electric equipment in spite of the hydraulic or pneumatic powered one. This paradigm shift leads to several benefits, among which an overall weight reduction and the removal of the hydraulic systems are often cited as the most positive outcomes. However, the very low quantity of statistical data regarding their safety does not allow a seamless substitution, particularly when Electromechanical Actuators (EMAs) are employed as primary flight control actuators. Model-based prognostic strategies are one of the most acknowledged solution to endorse EMAs. The models prognostics is based on require careful validation to assess their quality and verify that the modelled trends are coherent with the actual ones. In this paper, a thorough analysis has been performed, involving variable load, friction and backlash data. To all intents and purposes, an actual database has been created. It is capable of supporting further prognostic methodologies development with the aim of strengthen even more EMAs adoption as flight control actuators.