In the project the requirements for the module and the preliminary and detailed design of the module have been developed. A module has been made in line with the detailed design, but with a simplified power circuit, and the functionality of the module has been demonstrated.
After the first Preliminary Design Review (PDR) new layouts of Constance have been evaluated, in close collaboration with the TM, to meet new requirements and interface constrains. As a result of the first PDR the design of Constance has been completely revised to meet the new requirements. The new conceptual design provides an integrated dual CRPDT which meets the safety objectives and is much smaller and lighter compared to the first concept. The third data link is embedded in the second CRPDT channel of Constance. A second PDR has been held confirming that the new design complies with the requirements of the TM.
The detailed design of Constance was generated and a qualification module has been manufactured and tested. The module performs in line with the requirements.
The project results can be exploited by both the Constance consortium (NLR and DDC) and the Topic Manager (Leonardo Helicopters). The most important project output from exploitation perspective is that the contactless rotating power and data transfer (CRPDT) technology has been designed and was demonstrated to have the potential to operate at the Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor (NGCTR), complying to the stringent requirements for an aircraft. The Constance result can support the Flight Test campaign of the Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor demonstrator and to offer maintenance free and more robust power and data transfer system interface between the sensor and avionics on the proprotor assembly and the avionics control systems.
The consortium will use the Constance results in possible future projects in which high rotating data acquisition systems in harsh environments are required (aerospace electronics research) and will define a strategy, optional with additional partners, towards further development of Constance to a certified product (TRL-9). Leonardo Helicopters, as an airframer of the Next Generator Civil Tiltrotor, will consider the use the Constance Flight Model for integration in the NGCTR demonstrator to support the flight test campaign and on longer term, as a component of the avionics suite of the certified/commercial civil tiltrotor configuration. Constance technology may also be applied in other products of Leonardo with rotating electrical components. For instance for de-icing or folding of rotor blades systems. Applications may require expansion of the Constance technology’s power transfer capabilities.
Results of the Constance project were published on 2 web sites and in 3 scientific presentations and / or papers.
