Enabling Lighter Motors for Airframes to Run Cooler, Last Longer

Important legacy aircraft like the A-10 Thunderbolt, B-1 Bomber, and KC-135 Tanker aircraft have many small, high-frequency motors in their structures. The Copper-Base Casting Technology Program is developing high temperature die casting methods that enable electric motor rotors to be made of copper/steel rather than the current aluminum/steel technology. For the Defense Logistics Agency, the result will be readily available replacement motors for legacy aircraft that reduce weight, run cooler, and last longer.

Helping Protect High Value Targets from Terrorist Blasts at 20 to 30 percent Less Cost

In Iraq and at home, microalloyed vanadium hot rolled steel in combination with very high strength concrete can protect high value targets from blasts -- either as a new method of barrier construction or in the construction of a high-value building itself. The Vanadium Technology Program, through partnership with the vanadium industry, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Tank automotive and Armaments Command and commercial users of steel, is demonstrating the higher strength, lower cost benefits of vanadium microalloyed steel. Program case studies show that the weight of Army support structures, temporary and intermediate bridges, vehicles, trailers, barriers and buildings can be improved in protection and mobility through vanadium alloying and hot rolled steel technology. Depending on the application, weight and cost reductions are being estimated in the 15 to 40 percent range.

To learn more about the Copper-Based Casting Technology Program, go to: http://www.aticorp.org/cbct.pdf.

To learn more about the Copper Motor Rotor Project, managed under the Copper-Based Casting Technology Program, go to: http://www.copper-motor-rotor.org/index.shtml.

To learn more about the Vanadium Technology Partnership, go to: http://www.vanadiumtechnologypartnership.org.

To learn more about the Copper Touch Surfaces Program, go to:
http://coppertouchsurface.org/index.html.

To learn more about the Copper Air Quality Program, go to:
http://copperairquality.org/.

“ATI has assembled an outstanding team to develop…energy efficient electric motors. We are excited about this ATI coordinated project that has brought together development experts and potential users of copper rotor technology so that its true benefits can be demonstrated and evaluated.” Rich Schiferl, Director of Advanced Technology, Reliance Electric/Rockwell Automation