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96-426: It no longer makes aircraft but does make many related components, particularly actuators , aircraft controls , valves , and it provides surface-treatment services. It supplies equipment to the commercial , industrial , defense , and energy markets. It makes parts for commercial and naval nuclear power systems, industrial vehicles, and oil - and gas -related machinery. Curtiss-Wright formed on July 5, 1929,

192-489: A linear motor , which can be thought as a rotary electric motor which has been cut and unrolled. Thus, instead of producing a rotational movement, it produces a linear force along their length. Because it generally has lower friction losses than the alternatives, a linear electric actuator can last over a hundred million cycles. Linear motors are divided in 3 basic categories: flat linear motor (classic), U-Channel linear motors and Tubular linear motors. Linear motor technology

288-427: A mechanism that is directly driven by the motions or forces of other parts of the system. An example is the camshafts that drive the intake and exhaust valves in internal combustion engines , driven by the engine itself. Another example is the mechanism that strikes the hours in a traditional grandfather clock or cuckoo clock . A hydraulic actuator typically uses the pressure of a liquid (usually oil) to cause

384-432: A (non-electronic) thermostat contains a strip with two layers of different metals, that will bend when heated. Thermal actuators may also exploit the properties of shape-memory alloys . Some actuators are driven by externally applied magnetic fields . They typically contain parts made of ferromagnetic materials that are strongly attracted to each other when they are magnetized by the external field. An example are

480-414: A ball or a lead screw or planetary roller screw). The main advantages of electromechanical actuators are their relatively good level of accuracy with respect to pneumatics, their possible long lifecycle and the little maintenance effort required (might require grease). It is possible to reach relatively high force, on the order of 100 kN. The main limitation of these actuators are the reachable speed,

576-685: A good climb rate and high service ceiling were required) or to overfly deep jungle terrain where ground transport was impracticable. C-46 Commandos also went back to war. A dozen surplus C-46's were purchased in the United States covertly for use in Israel's 1948 war for independence and flown to Czechoslovakia in a circuitous route along South America and then across to Africa. The type's long range proved invaluable in flying cargo, including desperately needed dismantled S-199 fighters from Czechoslovakia as well as other weapons and military supplies. On

672-430: A linear motion, but is not a linear motor ). Another broad classification of actuators separates them into two types: incremental-drive actuators and continuous-drive actuators. Stepper motors are one type of incremental-drive actuators. Examples of continuous-drive actuators include DC torque motors , induction motors , hydraulic and pneumatic motors , and piston-cylinder drives (rams). An actuator can be just

768-533: A move aimed at expanding its presence in the military aircraft emergency arresting systems sector. SAA, a subsidiary of Safran Aerosystems, specializes in designing and manufacturing aircraft emergency arresting systems and will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Naval & Power segment post-acquisition. The completion of the acquisition, valued at $ 240 million, is contingent on regulatory approval and other closing conditions, with expectations for finalization in

864-574: A new pathway for fabricating low-cost and fast response SMP actuators. The process of receiving external stimuli like heat, moisture, electrical input, light or magnetic field by SMP is referred to as shape memory effect (SME). SMP exhibits some rewarding features such a low density, high strain recovery, biocompatibility, and biodegradability . Photopolymers or light activated polymers (LAP) are another type of SMP that are activated by light stimuli. The LAP actuators can be controlled remotely with instant response and, without any physical contact, only with

960-403: A new standard in pressurized airliners. The CW-20 had a patented fuselage conventionally referred to as a "figure-eight" (or "double-bubble"), which enabled it to better withstand the pressure differential at high altitudes. The sides of the fuselage creased at the level of the floor that separated the two portions and shared in the stress of each, rather than supporting itself. The main spar of

1056-492: A one-off XC-46B experimented with a stepped windscreen and more powerful engines, a small run of 17 C-46E s had many of the same features as the XC-46B, along with three-bladed Hamilton-Standard propellers replacing the standard Curtiss-Electric four-bladed units. A last contract for 234 C-46F s reverted to the earlier cockpit shape but introduced square wing tips. A sole C-46G had the stepped windscreen and square wing tips but

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1152-432: A piston to slide inside a hollow cylindrical tube linear, rotatory or oscillatory motion. In a single acting actuator the fluid pressure is applied to just one side of the piston, so that it applies useful force in only one direction. The opposite motion may be effected by a spring , by gravity, or by other forces present in the system. In a double acting actuator, the return stroke is driven by fluid pressure applied to

1248-527: A rugged cargo transport for arctic and remote locations with its service life extended into the 21st century. The prototype for what would become the C-46, the Curtiss CW-20, was designed in 1937 by George A. Page Jr., the chief aircraft designer at Curtiss-Wright . The CW-20 was a private venture intended to compete with the four-engined Douglas DC-4 and Boeing 307 Stratoliner by the introduction of

1344-574: A series of mechanical problems were controlled if not surmounted, the C-46 proved its worth in the airlift operation despite maintenance headaches. It could carry more cargo higher than other Allied twin-engine transport aircraft in the theater, including light artillery, fuel, ammunition, parts of aircraft and, on occasion, livestock. Its powerful engines enabled it to climb satisfactorily with heavy loads, staying aloft on one engine if not overloaded, though "war emergency" load limits of up to 40,000 lb (18,000 kg) often erased any safety margins. After

1440-485: A significant percentage of engines that did not meet Army Air Forces (AAF) inspection standards. These defective engines were nevertheless approved by inspectors for shipment and installation in U.S. military aircraft. After investigation, it was later revealed that Wright company officials at Lockland had conspired with civilian technical advisers and Army inspection officers to approve substandard or defective aircraft engines for military use. Curtiss-Wright failed to make

1536-414: A single step by rapid prototyping methods, such as 3D printing , are utilized to narrow the gap between the design and implementation of soft actuators, making the process faster, less expensive, and simpler. They also enable incorporation of all actuator components into a single structure eliminating the need to use external joints , adhesives , and fasteners . Shape memory polymer (SMP) actuators are

1632-463: A subdivision of transducers. They are devices which transform an input signal (mainly an electrical signal ) into some form of motion. Motors are mostly used when circular motions are needed, but can also be used for linear applications by transforming circular to linear motion with a lead screw or similar mechanism. On the other hand, some actuators are intrinsically linear, such as piezoelectric actuators. Conversion between circular and linear motion

1728-562: A supplier of specialized data communications products for real-time systems, primarily for the aerospace and defense, industrial automation and medical image markets. The acquisition also reintroduced Curtiss-Wright to Dayton, Ohio. In 2010, Curtiss-Wright acquired Hybricon Corporation for $ 19 million in cash. Hybricon is a supplier of electronic packaging for the aerospace, defense, and commercial markets, and provides electronic subsystem integration. In 2011, Curtiss-Wright acquired Ireland-based Acra Control for $ 61 million in cash. Acra Control

1824-538: Is a supplier of data acquisition systems and networks, data recorders, and telemetry ground stations for both defense and commercial aerospace markets. At the beginning of 2013, Curtiss-Wright acquired Exlar Corporation for $ 85 million in cash. Exlar, a private company, is a designer and manufacturer of highly engineered electric actuators used in motion control solutions in industrial and military markets. The acquired business will operate within Curtiss-Wright's Motion Control segment. In October 2013, Curtiss-Wright completed

1920-452: Is anticipated to yield a 100% free cash flow conversion rate, underscoring the robust liquidity position. This strengthened financial position can be leveraged for profitable and revenue-generating strategies. As well as manufacturing engines, a range of electrically actuated constant speed three- and four-bladed propellers were manufactured under the name Curtiss Electric . Albert Kahn Associates designed several industrial buildings for

2016-582: Is commonly made via a few simple types of mechanism including: In virtual instrumentation , actuators and sensors are the hardware complements of virtual instruments. Performance metrics for actuators include speed, acceleration, and force (alternatively, angular speed, angular acceleration, and torque), as well as energy efficiency and considerations such as mass, volume, operating conditions, and durability, among others. When considering force in actuators for applications, two main metrics should be considered. These two are static and dynamic loads. Static load

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2112-411: Is converted to rotary motion by some sort of crankshaft mechanism. Since 1960, several actuator technologies have been developed. Electric actuators can be classified in the following groups: An electromechanical actuator (EMA) uses mechanical means to convert the rotational force of an ordinary (rotary) electric motor into a linear movement. The mechanism may be a toothed belt or a screw (either

2208-414: Is not as well known that losses of other aircraft types from AA fire during the same operation were equally as intense, including 13 gliders shot down, 14 crashed and 126 badly damaged; 15 B-24 bombers shot down and 104 badly damaged; 12 C-47s shot down, with 140 damaged. Despite its obvious and valuable utility, the C-46 remained a maintenance nightmare throughout its AAF career. The official history of

2304-533: Is supplied to it in a system (called an actuating system ). The effect is usually produced in a controlled way. An actuator translates such an input signal into the required form of mechanical energy . It is a type of transducer . In simple terms, it is a "mover". An actuator requires a control device (which provides control signal ) and a source of energy . The control signal is relatively low in energy and may be voltage , electric current , pneumatic , or hydraulic fluid pressure , or even human power . In

2400-403: Is the best solution in the context of a low load (up to 30Kgs) because it provides the highest level of speed, control and accuracy. In fact, it represents the most desired and versatile technology. Due to the limitations of pneumatics, the current electric actuator technology is a viable solution for specific industry applications and it has been successfully introduced in market segments such as

2496-417: Is the force capability of the actuator while not in motion. Conversely, the dynamic load of the actuator is the force capability while in motion. Speed should be considered primarily at a no-load pace, since the speed will invariably decrease as the load amount increases. The rate the speed will decrease will directly correlate with the amount of force and the initial speed. Actuators are commonly rated using

2592-447: Is used to actuate equipment such as multi-turn valves, or electric-powered construction and excavation equipment. When used to control the flow of fluid through a valve, a brake is typically installed above the motor to prevent the fluid pressure from forcing open the valve. If no brake is installed, the actuator gets activated to reclose the valve, which is slowly forced open again. This sets up an oscillation (open, close, open ...) and

2688-458: Is what most of the actuators are used for. For most actuators they are mechanically durable yet do not have an ability to adapt compared to soft actuators. The soft actuators apply to mainly safety and healthcare for humans which is why they are able to adapt to environments by disassembling their parts. This is why the driven energy behind soft actuators deal with flexible materials like certain polymers and liquids that are harmless The majority of

2784-473: The C-47 Skytrain , with some 3,200 C-46s produced to approximately 10,200 C-47s. After World War II, a few surplus C-46 aircraft were briefly used in their original role as passenger airliners but the glut of surplus C-47s dominated the marketplace and the C-46 was soon relegated to cargo duty. The type continued in U.S. Air Force service in a secondary role until 1968. The C-46 continues in operation as

2880-508: The California Institute of Technology (Caltech). The resultant design was a large, aerodynamically "sleek" airliner, incorporating the cockpit in a streamlined glazed "dome". The engines featured a unique nacelle tunnel cowl where air was induced and expelled through the bottom of the cowl, reducing turbulent airflow and induced drag across the upper wing surface. After a mock-up was constructed in 1938, Curtiss-Wright exhibited

2976-766: The Great Depression . Guy Vaughan was appointed president in 1935. In 1937, the company developed the P-36 fighter aircraft, resulting in the largest peacetime aircraft order ever given by the Army Air Corps. Curtiss-Wright also sold the P-36 abroad, where they were used in the early days of World War II . During World War II , Curtiss-Wright produced 142,840 aircraft engines, 146,468 electric propellers, and 29,269 airplanes. Curtiss-Wright employed 180,000 workers, and ranked second among United States corporations in

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3072-753: The Travel Air Manufacturing Company . There were three main divisions: the Curtiss-Wright Airplane Division, which manufactured airframes ; the Wright Aeronautical Corporation, which produced aircraft engines ; and the Curtiss-Wright Propeller Division, which manufactured propellers . After 1929, most engines produced by the new company were known as Wrights. Existing aircraft continued using

3168-473: The Wankel rotary engine from NSU in 1958 as a possible aircraft power plant. For this project, Curtiss-Wright relied on the design leadership of NSU-Wankel engineer Max Bentele . In 1954, United Airlines bought four Curtiss-Wright flight simulators at a cost of $ 3 million. These simulators were unlike earlier ones produced in the late 1940s for airliners but now included visuals, sound, and movement. They were

3264-405: The reed switches that may be used as door opening sensors in a building security system. Alternatively, magnetic actuators can use magnetic shape-memory alloys . A soft actuator is made of a flexible material that changes its shape in response to stimuli including mechanical, thermal, magnetic, and electrical. Soft actuators mainly deal with the robotics of humans rather than industry which

3360-457: The 1990s, these aircraft were sold to other owner/operators. Between 1993 and 1995, Relief Air Transport operated three Canadian registered C-46s on Operation Lifeline Sudan from Lokichoggio, Kenya . These aircraft also transported humanitarian supplies to Goma , Zaire and Mogadishu , Somalia from their base in Nairobi , Kenya. One of the aircraft (C-GIXZ) was lost near Lokichoggio while

3456-549: The ATC pilots the Commando was known, with good reason, as the "flying coffin". From May 1943 to March 1945, Air Transport Command received reports of thirty-one instances in which C-46s caught fire or exploded in the air. Still others were listed merely as "missing in flight", and it is a safe assumption that many of these exploded, went down in flames, or crashed as the result of vapor lock , carburetor icing, or other defects. During

3552-473: The Army Air Forces summarized its shortcomings, But from first to last, the Commando remained a headache. It could be kept flying only at the cost of thousands of extra man-hours for maintenance and modification. Although Curtiss-Wright reported the accumulation by November 1943 of the astounding total of 721 required changes in production models, the plane continued to be what maintenance crews around

3648-535: The Army and Navy for more advanced aircraft designs. The P-60 , the firm's last prop-driven fighter design, was merely an extrapolation of its 1930s P-36 Hawk , offering no advantage over other designs already in service. With the rapid development of jet engine technology and near-supersonic flight, this technological lag resulted in Curtiss losing a number of critical postwar military aircraft orders. The final nail in

3744-796: The C-46s purchased by the U.S. military were pressurized and the first 30 delivered to the AAF were sent back to the factory for 53 immediate modifications. The design was then modified to the C-46A, receiving enlarged cargo doors, a strengthened load floor and a convertible cabin that speeded changes in carrying freight and troops. The C-46 was introduced to the public at a ceremony in May 1942, attended by its designer, George A. Page Jr. A total of 200 C-46As in two batches were ordered in 1940, although only two were actually delivered by 7 December 1941. An important change

3840-772: The Curtiss Wright Corporation, including plants in Beaver, PA; Buffalo, NY; Caldwell, NJ; Columbus, OH; Indianapolis, IN; Kenmore, NY; Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MO. Albert Kahn's personal working library, the Albert Kahn Library Collection , is housed at Lawrence Technological University in Southfield , Michigan. Actuator An actuator is a component of a machine that produces force , torque , or displacement , when an electrical , pneumatic or hydraulic input

3936-473: The Curtiss name, while new designs used either the Curtiss or Curtiss-Wright name, depending on which location they were designed by, with a few exceptions. Throughout the 1930s, Curtiss-Wright designed and built aircraft for military, commercial, and private markets but it was the Wright engine division and the longstanding relationship with the U.S. military that helped the company through the difficult years of

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4032-514: The U.S. Marine Corps, to be called R5C-1 . The military model was fitted with double cargo doors, a strengthened floor and a hydraulically operated cargo handling winch; 40 folding seats were the sole passenger accommodation for what was essentially a cargo hauler. Two C-46 were delivered from Higgins Industries Michoud Factory Field in 1942. The final large production-run C-46D arrived in 1944–45 and featured single doors to facilitate paratroop drops. Production totaled 1,430 aircraft. Although

4128-578: The acquisition of 901D Holdings, LLC (901D) for $ 132 million in cash. Designing and manufacturing electronic systems, subsystems, and shipboard enclosures, 901D is a contributor to major U.S. Navy shipbuilding programs including both nuclear and non-nuclear powered vessels. In February 2020, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) completed the acquisition of Dyna-Flo Control Valve Services Ltd. ("Dyna-Flo") for $ 81 million in cash. In January 2022, Curtiss-Wright Corporation (CW) announced an agreement to acquire assets from Safran Aerosystems Arresting Company (SAA),

4224-487: The acquisition of Keronite Group Limited, involving a cash transaction of $ 35 million. This strategic move is expected to enhance Curtiss-Wright's capabilities in Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation ("PEO") surface treatment services. Operating within Curtiss-Wright's Aerospace & Industrial segment, the acquisition is projected to have a neutral impact on the company's earnings in the initial year. It

4320-526: The acquisition of the Parvus Corporation, a business unit of Eurotech S.p.A ., for $ 38 million. Parvus is a leading designer and manufacturer of rugged small form factor computers and communications subsystems for the aerospace, defense, homeland security, and industrial markets. Curtiss-Wright acquired military communications equipment supplier Pacific Star Communications for $ 400 million, on November 2, 2020. Curtiss-Wright Corporation finalized

4416-488: The campaign but only the C-46 was able to handle the wide range of adverse conditions encountered by the USAAF. Unpredictably violent weather, heavy cargo loads, high mountain terrain, and poorly equipped and frequently flooded airfields proved a considerable challenge to the transport aircraft then in service, along with a host of engineering and maintenance nightmares due to a shortage of trained air and ground personnel. After

4512-805: The coffin was the choice of the Northrop F-89 Scorpion over the XF-87 Blackhawk . After the F-87 was cancelled in October 1948, Curtiss-Wright shut down its entire Aeroplane Division and sold the assets to North American Aviation . Curtiss-Wright continued to occasionally venture back into the realm of designing aircraft, such as the TDU-12/B Skydart target drone and the X-19 tilt-rotor, but none of these amounted to anything and by

4608-403: The company with little of its old business, and during the 1960s it shifted to components for aircraft and other types of equipment, such as nuclear submarines , a business that continues today. In 2002, Curtiss-Wright acquired Penny & Giles , a supplier of black boxes and sensing devices (Hybrid linear, hybrid rotary and VRVT sensors). In 2003, Curtiss-Wright acquired Systran Corporation,

4704-529: The construction of a transonic wind tunnel. Cornell Aeronautical Labs, or CAL as it was known, was eventually spun off from the university as a private company, Calspan Corporation , which has been responsible for numerous innovations in flight and safety research. After the government gave the development of the Whittle jet engine to GE , the company concentrated on reciprocating engines and propeller production for military transport and civilian airliners. With

4800-435: The device easier to set up still with durability and a set torque. Rotary motors can be powered by 3 different techniques such as Electric, Fluid, or Manual. However, Fluid powered rotary actuators have 5 sub-sections of actuators such as Scotch Yoke, Vane, Rack-and-Pinion, Helical, and Electrohydraulic. All forms have their own specific design and use allowing the ability to choose multiple angles of degree. Applications for

4896-470: The early 1960s Curtiss-Wright was no longer an aircraft manufacturer. While this marked Curtiss-Wright's departure from preeminence in the aviation industry, one notable spin-off involved Curtiss-Wright's flight research laboratory, founded in 1943 near the main plant at the Buffalo airport. During divestiture of the airframe division, the lab was given to Cornell University along with a cash gift to finish

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4992-411: The electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic sense, it is a form of automation or automatic control . The displacement achieved is commonly linear or rotational, as exemplified by linear motors and rotary motors , respectively. Rotary motion is more natural for small machines making large displacements. By means of a leadscrew , rotary motion can be adapted to function as a linear actuator (which produces

5088-722: The end of the war resulted in the cancellation of any additional orders for the type. Most famous for its operations in the China-Burma-India theater (CBI) and the Far East , the Commando was a workhorse in flying over " The Hump " (as the Himalaya Mountains were nicknamed by Allied airmen), transporting desperately needed supplies to troops in China from bases in India. A variety of transports had been employed in

5184-566: The existing soft actuators are fabricated using multistep low yield processes such as micro-moulding, solid freeform fabrication, and mask lithography. However, these methods require manual fabrication of devices, post processing/assembly, and lengthy iterations until maturity in the fabrication is achieved. To avoid the tedious and time-consuming aspects of the current fabrication processes, researchers are exploring an appropriate manufacturing approach for effective fabrication of soft actuators. Therefore, special soft systems that can be fabricated in

5280-518: The fire bottles and props needing updates. The other former First Nations Transportation C-46 (C-GTXW) flew for Buffalo Airways until it was scrapped in 2015. Two aircraft of the same type (C-GPTO and C-FAVO) continue to be used by the same carrier primarily in Canada's Arctic. They have been featured on the Ice Pilots NWT television show. Prices for a used C-46 in 1960 ranged from £20,000 for

5376-419: The first of today's modern flight simulators for commercial aircraft. In 1956, financially strapped automaker Studebaker-Packard Corporation entered into a management agreement with Curtiss-Wright to allow the nation's fifth-largest automobile manufacturer to avoid insolvency. The relationship lasted until 1959 at which time Curtiss-Wright withdrew from the agreement. The shift of civilian aircraft to jets left

5472-533: The high operating costs of the C-46 (up to 50 percent greater than the C-47), soon caused most operators to change their minds and most postwar C-46 operations were limited to commercial cargo transport and then only for certain routes. One of the C-46's failings was the prodigious fuel consumption of its powerful 2,000 hp (1,500 kW) engines, which used fuel at a much higher rate than the C-47/DC-3. Maintenance

5568-473: The important dimensions and weight they require. The main application of such actuators is mainly seen in health care devices and factory automation. Another approach is an electrohydraulic actuator , where the electric motor remains the prime mover but provides torque to operate a hydraulic accumulator that is then used to transmit actuation force in much the same way that diesel engine/hydraulics are typically used in heavy equipment . Electrical energy

5664-707: The innovative project as a display in the 1939 New York World's Fair . The company approached many airlines to obtain their requirements for an advanced airliner. No firm orders resulted, although 25 letters of intent were received, sufficient to begin production. The design of a 24–34 passenger airliner proceeded to the prototype stage as the CW-20 at the St. Louis, Missouri facility with the initial configuration featuring twin vertical tail surfaces. Powered by two 1,700  hp (1,300  kW ) R-2600-C14-BA2 Wright Twin Cyclones ,

5760-603: The main production facilities in Buffalo, New York . During the war, a second large plant was added at Buffalo, followed by new plants at Columbus, Ohio ; St. Louis, Missouri ; and Louisville, Kentucky . Engine and propeller production was at plants in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. In May 1942, the U.S. government assigned Curtiss-Wright a defense production factory for wartime aircraft construction at Louisville, Kentucky , to produce C-76 Caravan cargo aircraft, which

5856-665: The men who flew them were "The Whale", the "Curtiss Calamity", and the "plumber's nightmare". The C-46's huge cargo volume (twice that of the C-47), three times the weight, large cargo doors, powerful engines and long range also made it suitable for the vast distances of the Pacific island campaign. In particular, the U.S. Marines found the aircraft (known as the R5C) useful in their amphibious Pacific operations, flying supplies in and wounded personnel out of numerous and hastily built island landing strips. Although built in approximately one-third

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5952-404: The most similar to our muscles, providing a response to a range of stimuli such as light, electrical, magnetic, heat, pH, and moisture changes. They have some deficiencies including fatigue and high response time that have been improved through the introduction of smart materials and combination of different materials by means of advanced fabrication technology. The advent of 3D printers has made

6048-405: The motor and actuator will eventually become damaged. Electric rotary actuators use a rotary motor to turn the target part over a certain angle. Rotary actuators can have up to a rotation of 360 degrees. This allows it to differ from a linear motor as the linear is bound to a set distance compared to the rotary motor. Rotary motors have the ability to be set at any given degree in a field making

6144-514: The name "Condor III" but the Commando name was in use by early 1942 in company publicity. It was used primarily as a cargo aircraft during World War II , with fold-down seating for military transport and some use in delivering paratroops. Mainly deployed by the United States Army Air Forces , it also served the U.S. Navy / Marine Corps , which called it R5C . The C-46 filled similar roles as its Douglas-built counterpart,

6240-577: The number as its more famous wartime compatriot, the C-47 Skytrain , the C-46 nevertheless played a significant role in wartime operations, although the aircraft was not deployed in numbers to the European theater until March 1945. It augmented USAAF Troop Carrier Command in time to drop paratroopers in an offensive to cross the Rhine River in Germany ( Operation Varsity ). So many C-46s were lost in

6336-427: The opposite side of the piston. Since liquids are nearly impossible to compress, a hydraulic actuator can exert a large force. The drawback of this approach is its limited acceleration. They respond quickly to input changes, have little inertia, can operate continuously over a relatively large working range, and can hold their position without any significant energy input. A hydraulic actuator can be used to displace

6432-627: The paratroop drop during Varsity that Army General Matthew Ridgway issued an edict forbidding the aircraft's use in airborne operations. Even though the war ended soon afterwards and no further airborne missions were flown, the C-46 may well have been unfairly demonized. The operation's paratroop drop phase was flown in daylight at low speeds at very low altitudes by an unarmed cargo aircraft without self-sealing fuel tanks , over heavy concentrations of German 20 mm, 37 mm and larger caliber anti-aircraft (AA) cannon firing explosive, incendiary and armor-piercing incendiary ammunition. By that stage of

6528-429: The prototype, registered NX-19436 flew for the first time on 26 March 1940 with test pilot Edmund T. "Eddie" Allen at the controls. After testing, modifications, including the fitting of a large single tail to improve stability at low speeds were made. The first prototype was purchased by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) to serve as a master for the series and was named C-55. After military evaluation,

6624-408: The rack of a rack and pinion mechanism, causing the pinion to turn. This arrangement is used, for example, to operate valves in pipelines and other industrial fluid transport installations. A pneumatic actuator is similar to a hydraulic one but uses a gas (usually air) instead of a liquid. Compared to hydraulic actuators, pneumatic ones are less complicated because they do not need pipes for

6720-522: The remaining two (C-GTXW & C-GIBX) eventually made their way back to Canada. These two aircraft were then operated as freighters for First Nations Transportation in Gimli, Manitoba but the airline later ceased operations with one aircraft sold to Buffalo Airways and the other tied up in receivership. According to First Nations Transport, as of Jan 2016, the latter aircraft (C-GIBX) was claimed to be airworthy with two new engines and available for sale with

6816-566: The result of a merger of 12 companies associated with Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company of Buffalo, New York , and Wright Aeronautical of Dayton, Ohio . It was headquartered in Buffalo, New York . With $ 75 million in capital (equivalent to $ 1.33 billion in 2023), it became the largest aviation company in the United States. By September 1929, Curtiss-Wright had acquired the Moth Aircraft Corporation (which primarily built de Havilland Moth aircraft under licence) and

6912-421: The return and recycling of the working fluid. On the other hand, they still need external infrastructure such as compressors, reservoirs, filters, and air treatment subsystems, which often makes them less convenient that electrical and electromechanical actuators. In the first steam engines and in all steam locomotives , steam pressure is used to drive pneumatic actuators to produce a reciprocating motion, which

7008-518: The return flight the C-46's would dump bombs out the cargo door on various targets at night, including Gaza, El Arish, Majdal, and Faluja (Egypt and Israel also used C-47s as bombers and transports locally). C-46's served in Korea and Vietnam for various U.S. Air Force operations, including supply missions, paratroop drops and clandestine agent transportation. The C-46 was also employed in the abortive U.S.-supported Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961. The C-46

7104-405: The rotary actuators are just about endless but, will more than likely be found dealing with mostly hydraulic pressured devices and industries. Rotary actuators are even used in the robotics field when seeing robotic arms in industry lines. Anything you see that deals with motion control systems to perform a task in technology is a good chance to be a rotary actuator. A linear electric actuator uses

7200-729: The roughly 2,500 C-46s produced at Buffalo. The C-46 cargo aircraft was fitted with two powerful radial engines and could fly at higher altitudes than most other Allied aircraft. Consequently, it was used extensively in the China-Burma-India Theater . From 1941 to 1943, the Curtiss Aeronautical plant in Lockland, Ohio , produced aircraft engines under wartime contract, destined for installation in U.S. Army Air Forces aircraft. Wright officials at Lockland insisted on high engine production levels, resulting in

7296-590: The sole example was returned to Curtiss-Wright and subsequently re-sold to the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC). During testing, General Henry H. "Hap" Arnold became interested in the potential of the airliner as a military cargo transport and on 13 September 1940, ordered 46 modified CW-20As as the C-46-CU Commando ; the last 21 aircraft in this order were delivered as Model CW-20Bs, called C-46A-1-CU. None of

7392-521: The standard IP Code rating system. Those that are rated for dangerous environments will have a higher IP rating than those for personal or common industrial use. This will be determined by each individual manufacturer, depending on usage and quality. Curtiss C-46 Commando The Curtiss C-46 Commando is a low-wing , twin-engine aircraft derived from the Curtiss CW-20 pressurized high-altitude airliner design. Early press reports used

7488-477: The tanks and fuel system, combined with a spark, usually originating from open-contact electrical components. Though many service aircraft suffered small fuel leaks in use, the C-46's wings were unvented; if a leak occurred, the gasoline had nowhere to drain, but rather pooled at the wing root. Any spark or fire could set off an explosion. After the war, all C-46 aircraft received a wing vent modification to vent pooled gasoline, and an explosion-proof fuel booster pump

7584-438: The third quarter of 2022. The strategic acquisition of SAA is part of Curtiss-Wright's efforts to enhance growth prospects and diversify its product portfolio. With an anticipated positive impact on CW's earnings, the $ 240 million transaction is projected to contribute to a robust free cash flow conversion rate exceeding 100%, signaling a favorable liquidity position for the company in the future. In November 2022, CW has finalized

7680-557: The transition to design and production of jet aircraft , despite several attempts. During the war, the company expended only small amounts on aircraft research and development, instead concentrating on incremental improvements in conventional aircraft already in wartime production. This was especially true in the first two years of the war. Curtiss' failure to research and develop more advanced wing and airframe designs provided an opening for North American , Bell , Lockheed, Northrop, and other U.S. aircraft manufacturers to win contracts from

7776-498: The troublesome Curtiss-Electric electrically controlled pitch mechanism on the propellers had been removed, the C-46 continued to be employed in the CBI and over wide areas of southern China throughout the war years. Even so, the C-46 was referred to by ATC pilots as the "flying coffin" with at least 31 known instances of fires or explosions in flight between May 1943 and March 1945 and many others missing and never found. Other names used by

7872-603: The twilight of the big piston aircraft engine, Curtiss-Wright needed a new design direction, and in 1950, Curtiss-Wright licensed the Sapphire jet engine from Armstrong Siddeley in the U.K and manufactured it as the Wright J65 . It powered models of the Martin B-57 , and several U.S. fighter aircraft. Subsequent derivative engines were late and did not find substantial markets. Curtiss-Wright briefly licensed rights to

7968-559: The value of wartime production contracts, behind only General Motors . Aircraft production included almost 14,000 P-40 fighters, made famous by their use by Claire Chennault 's Flying Tigers in China, over 3,000 C-46 Commando transport aircraft, and later in the war, over 7,000 SB2C Helldivers . Its most visible success came with the P-40, variously known as the Tomahawk, Kittyhawk, and Warhawk, which were built between 1940 and 1944 at

8064-852: The variation of light frequency or intensity. A need for soft, lightweight and biocompatible soft actuators in soft robotics has influenced researchers for devising pneumatic soft actuators because of their intrinsic compliance nature and ability to produce muscle tension. Polymers such as dielectric elastomers (DE), ionic polymer–metal composites (IPMC), ionic electroactive polymers, polyelectrolyte gels, and gel-metal composites are common materials to form 3D layered structures that can be tailored to work as soft actuators. EAP actuators are categorized as 3D printed soft actuators that respond to electrical excitation as deformation in their shape. In engineering , actuators are frequently used as mechanisms to introduce motion , or to clamp an object so as to prevent motion. In electronic engineering, actuators are

8160-407: The war years, the C-46 was noted for an abnormal number of unexplained airborne explosions (31 between May 1943 and May 1945) that were initially attributed to various causes. In particular, the fuel system, which was quickly designed, then modified for the new, thirstier Pratt & Whitney engines, was criticized. The cause of the explosions was eventually traced to pooled gasoline from small leaks in

8256-536: The war, German AA crews had trained to a high state of readiness; many batteries had considerable combat experience in firing on and destroying high-speed, well-armed fighters and fighter-bombers while under fire themselves. Most, if not all, of the C-47s used in Operation Varsity had been fitted with self-sealing fuel tanks; the C-46s had not. Although 19 of 72 C-46 aircraft were shot down during Varsity, it

8352-468: The watchmaking, semiconductor and pharmaceutical industries (as high as 60% of the applications. The growing interest for this technology, can be explained by the following characteristics: The main disadvantages of linear motors are: An actuator may be driven by heat through the expansion that most solid material exhibit when the temperature increases. This principle is commonly used, for example, to operate electric switches in thermostats . Typically,

8448-473: The wing could pass through the bottom section, which was mainly intended for cargo, without intruding on the passenger upper compartment. A decision to use a twin-engine design instead of a four-engines was considered viable if sufficiently powerful engines were available, allowing for lower operating costs and a less complex structure. Engineering work involved a three-year commitment from the company and incorporated an extensive amount of wind tunnel testing at

8544-507: The world aptly described as a "plumber's nightmare". Worse still, the plane was a killer. In the experienced hands of Eastern Air Lines and along a route that provided more favorable flying conditions than were confronted by military crews in Africa and on the Hump route into China, the plane did well enough. Indeed, Eastern Air Lines lost only one C-46 in more than two years of operation. But among

8640-603: Was also more intensive and costlier. Despite these disadvantages, surplus C-46s were used by some air carriers, including Capitol Airways , Flying Tigers , Civil Air Transport and World Airways to carry cargo and passengers. Many other small carriers also eventually operated the type on scheduled and non-scheduled routes. The C-46 became a common sight in South America and was widely used in Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina and Chile, especially in mountainous areas (where

8736-479: Was constructed mostly of wood, a non-priority war material. After difficulties with the C-76, including a crash of a production model in mid-1943, as well as the realization that sufficient quantities of aluminum aircraft alloys would be available for war production, plans for large-scale C-76 production were rejected. The Louisville plant was converted to C-46 Commando production, delivering 438 Commandos to supplement

8832-424: Was eventually renamed Air America in 1959. An Air America C-46 was the last fixed-wing aircraft flown out of Vietnam [Saigon] at the close of hostilities there. On 29 April 1975, Capt. E. G. Adams flew a 52-seat version, with 152 people on board, to Bangkok, Thailand . The Japan Air Self-Defense Force used the Commando until at least 1978. The Republic of China Air Force operated the C-46 up until 1982 before it

8928-412: Was installed with shielded electrical selector switches in lieu of the open-contact type used originally. Overall, the C-46 had been successful in its primary role as a wartime cargo transport and had benefited from a series of improvements. Like the C-47/DC-3, the C-46 seemed destined for a useful career as a postwar civilian passenger airliner and was considered for that by Eastern Airlines . However,

9024-478: Was made: more powerful 2,000 hp (1,500 kW)c Pratt & Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp engines replaced the Twin Cyclones. By November 1943, 721 modifications had been made to production models, although many were minor, such as fuel system changes and a reduction in cabin windows. Subsequent military contracts for the C-46A extended the production run to 1,454 examples, 40 of which were destined for

9120-756: Was not officially retired from service with the U.S. Air Force until 1968. The type served in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The C-46 played a supporting role in many clandestine operations during the late 1940s and early 1950s, including supply efforts to Chiang Kai-Shek's troops battling Mao's Communists in China as well as flying cargoes of military and medical supplies to French forces via Gialam Airfield in Hanoi and other bases in French Indochina. The CIA operated its own "airline" for these operations, Civil Air Transport, which

9216-578: Was retired. Although their numbers began to dwindle, C-46s continued to operate in remote locations and could be seen in service from Canada and Alaska to Africa and South America. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Canadian airline Lamb Air operated several C-46s from their bases in Thompson and Churchill , Manitoba . One of the largest C-46 operators was Air Manitoba, whose fleet of aircraft featured gaudy color schemes for individual aircraft. In

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