Reliable electro-mechanical actuators in aircraft

There is a general trend in the aerospace industry toward increasing the use of electrically-powered equipment. This trend is usually referred to as "Power-by-Wire" in the "More Electric Aircraft" (MEA) concept and it leads, among others, to the substitution of hydraulic actuators by Electro-Mechanical Actuators (EMA). Its benefits are a decrease in maintenance effort and weight, and an increase in efficiency. However, jamming case obstacles stop the massive use of EMAs in flight-control actuators. The aim herein is to introduce the safety needs of electro-mechanical actuators in aircraft applications, and its major goal is to present the suitability and reliability of such actuator systems, including electric motors and power converters.