News
- Midé awarded a Phase I SBIR proposal from ARMY round 2008.2
- Midé welcomes John Knott as its Product Representative
- Midé awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the Navy
- Midé awarded a Phase II SBIR proposal from the US Army
- Midé awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the Air Force
- Midé awarded a Phase II SBIR proposal from NASA
- Hybrid Energy Harvester - Volture™ Solar
- Active Combustion Control (ACC) Valve Technology Revival
- Volture & Brake Press Release
- Volture Energy Harvester Article Features in DesignNews
- Mide Attends NanoPower Forum 2007
- Mide awarded MSUB Phase II
- Advanced valve technology for the Airborne Laser
- Mide is awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the MDA to develop a
Venting System for SRM canisters - Miniature valve for small xenon thrusters
- ASME & AIAA Adaptive Structures & Material Systems Newsletter
- Mide is awarded a Phase II contract for Bulkhead Shaft Seal
Innovative Pitch Rod Actuators for Individual Blade Control - Oct. 22, 2008
Army Phase I award. Current pitch rods are used to adjust the pitch on the main rotor blades. The collective pitch control is actuated through the swashplate to change the pitch of each blade all at once. There is no current method to individually change the pitch of only one blade individually in production, but there have been some research activities in this area. The technology proposed would remove the currently passive pitch rod and replace it with an active pitch rod that can adjust the main rotor pitch of each blade individually at relatively high bandwidths. Midé proposed to develop a self contained actuation system for Individual Blade Control.
Mide Welcomes John Knott as its Product Representative
John M. Knott, President of JD Technologies, offers Mide his extensive sales and marketing experience. John will work with Mide to identify and satisfy customer requirements, with its suite of smart technology products and designs.
Navy Phase I May 15, 2008
Midé was awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the Navy to instrument the Repeatable Release Hold Back Bar used on aircraft carriers. These bars hold the jet aircraft back so the catapult can ensure a successful launch off the deck. There is a need to instrument the bar so that maintenance personnel have information on the settings of the bar to ensure it has been properly reset for the next launch. There is also a need to provide health monitoring of the bar so it can be replaced or refurbished on a condition basis.
Midé Technology Corporation exhibited at the 2008 SBIR/STTR National Spring Conference May 27-30 in Orlando FL. Midé was selected as a Showcase Award Winner for our Phase I and Phase II work on the Miniature Xenon Valve and DOCS.
Army Phase II May 9, 2008
Midé Technology Corporation was notified that its Phase II SBIR proposal to the US Army titled Innovative Systems to Reduce One per Rev Vibrations in Helicopters was selected for award. The goal of the program is to develop technologies to automate the adjustments currently used to reduce 1/rev vibrations on rotorcraft. These include the pitch rod and mass balance adjustments. Midé is proud to be partnered on the work with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
Air Force Phase I March 17, 2008
Midé was awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the Air Force to investigate the measurement and impact of jet impulses on a wind tunnel models in high Mach number test facilities. Current wind tunnel balances cannot measure the impulses generated by jets. This program will evaluate methods by which these measurements can be made without adversely affecting the steady state aerodynamic measurements as well as develop a valve that can reliably provide the jet impulses.
NASA Phase II January 2, 2008
Midé Technology Corporation was awarded a Phase II SBIR contract from NASA titled Miniature Xenon Valve for Thrusters. The goal of the program is to develop a small control valve to enable small thrusters, such as MiXI (Miniature Xenon Ion Thrusters), to perform very accurate station keeping maneuvers on future spacecraft. Midé is pleased to be working Aerojet’s Redmond WA operations and JPL as the monitoring organization. The work performed during Phase I of this effort will be presented at the AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference July 21-23, 2008 in Hartford CT.
Volture™ Solar - Hybrid Energy Harvester - June 11, 2008
Midé is excited to announce its newest product development effort, the Volture Solar Hybrid Energy Harvester. The first Volture Hybrid module adds solar energy harvesting to the Volture’s existing vibration energy harvesting techniques. This hybrid energy harvester (HeH) is made possible by incorporating a rugged encapsulated solar-panel into the Volture enclosure. Currently, the solar panel is integrated with the standard electronics offered for the Volture; however, Midé is developing the next generation electronics that will add solar and piezoelectric power in a method that will enable intelligent battery charging. Midé intends to launch the first Volture Hybrid product in Fall ‘08; which will include the advanced battery charging electronics! Providing night and day power production and long-term battery storage the Volture Solar Hybrid Energy Harvesting module shines another light on Midé's energy harvesting capabilities.
Midé envisions a modular energy harvesting suite for the future of the popular Volture product. The next generation Midé hybrid energy harvester, the Volture Hybrid, will incorporate several energy harvesting methods, expanding the energy harvesting source envelope, while also providing optimal power management in a versatile modular design. The Volture Hybrid solar module is the first step in making Midé’s hybrid energy harvester suite a reality.
Feel free to contact Jared at (781) 306-0609 x 293 or Chris at (781) 306-0609 x 227 for more information.
Active Combustion Control (ACC) Valve Technology Revival - May 25, 2008
Mide has recently recieved a contract to revive its active combustion control (ACC) valve technology. Mide's ACC valve is unique in that it can continuously operate at tempartures approaching 300 degrees Celcius and is capable of high freuqency actuation to modulate fuel flow in aircraft engines.
Click here for more information!
Volture and Brake Press Release PRWeb - March 5, 2008
"A new energy harvesting system, developed by Midé Technology, converts a helicopter's vibrations into renewable energy to help automate its rotor track and balance adjustments whilst still in the air - something that until now has been done manually, and on the ground." click for full article
Contact Chris Ludlow for more information.
Ph: 781-306-0609 x227.
Volture Energy Harvester Article Features in Design News - Sept. 26, 2007
Research and development company Midé Technology Corporation recently released the Volture Piezo Energy Harvester, capable of transforming vibration and strain into enough electrical energy to power sensors and small applications... click for more details
Contact Chris Ludlow for more information.
Ph: 781-306-0609 x227.
Midé Attends NanoPower Forum - June 12, 2007
Chris and Conor attended this year's NanoPower Conference to extoll the virtues of the Volture Piezoelectric energy harvester - the wireless energy scavenging product.
Watch Chris's interview by clicking on the image to the left.
Contact Chris Ludlow for more information.
Ph: 781-306-0609 x227.
Mide awarded MSUB phase II- February 26, 2007
Midé has recently been awarded a Phase II from the Office of Naval Research to develop a novel means of buoyancy control using nickel titanium shape memory alloys. The efficiency of underwater autonomous vehicles, such as sea gliders, can be increased greatly by means of actively controlling the buoyancy of the vehicle. By altering the center of mass, the vertical, pitch and roll motions can be optimized for specific regimes or missions. Both engine and trim (large and small) devices will be necessary to effectively control submersibles buoyancy. This technology is not only limited to autonomous underwater vehicles. It could also prove beneficial to large or small manned craft as well. Contact Chris Ludlow for more information.
Ph: 781-306-0609 x227.
Mide is awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from the MDA to develop advanced valve technology for the Airborne Laser - Feb 21, 2007
The (Airborne Laser) ABL Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL) creates a lasing medium by utilizing Chlorine to produce Singlet Delta Oxygen (SDO) which in-turn dissociates a separately supplied Iodine molecule and then excites the resulting Iodine atom for lasing. Both Chlorine and Iodine are extremely caustic substances and require great care when handling. Of particular importance is the lifetime of high performance valves used to meter these substances as well as all other ABL fluid products (Helium, Nitrogen, ammonia and Hydrogen Peroxide). Since the valves must operate on an aircraft, overall contribution to ABL system weight is an important consideration. Midé proposed an innovative design that incorporated corrosion resistant materials in the valve body, seat materials that are compatible will all the fluids to be used, and an actuating mechanism that can meet the desired opening and closing times. Midé's experience with the design, development and flight qualification of custom valves and materials expertise created the required combination for the development of a successful valve for use on ABL.
Venting System for SRM canisters - Feb 21, 2007
Solid Rocket Motor (SRM) self-detonation is an unacceptable and highly dangerous occurrence. A system that would reduce the likelihood of this occurring would be highly beneficial to the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Midé proposed to develoop a Thermally Initiated Venting Systems (TIVS) that would decrease the likelihood of SRM premature detonation in its canister. When the temperature and pressure inside an SRM canister rise too high, it could cause the SRM to detonate, possibly resulting in a loss of life. Midé has previously designed and flight qualified a Positive Pressure Relief Valve (PPRV) that is currently in use on the International Space Station. The valve will work on the same principal as the valve used in the space station. Given a rise in pressure or temperature inside the canister above a pre-determined level, the valve will be automatically triggered open and quickly reduce the pressure inside the canister, helping to prevent premature detonation.
Mide was awarded a Phase I SBIR contract from NASA to develop a miniature valve for small xenon thrusters - Feb 21, 2007
NASA is continuing its development of electric propulsion engines for various applications. Efforts have been directed toward both large and small thrusters, depending on the end use. A current program is focused on the development of a miniature thruster. Development of a Miniature Xenon Ion (MiXI) thruster will enable precision spacecraft positioning and formation maneuvers for formation-flying spacecraft. The current MiXI thruster prototype will provide 0.5 - 3 mN thrust at 3000 sec specific impulse and efficiencies around 50% or better. The MiXI thruster will use Xenon propellant, a noble gas, minimizing spacecraft contamination. One of the challenges of such a thruster is to be able to accurately control the flow of propellant. The required flow rates are on the order of 0.1 sccm of Xenon. To this end Midé proposes to develop a small flow control valve based on piezoelectric technology. Midé is a world leader in this technology, demonstrated by its existing patented packaged actuator product line and past valve experience.
ASME & AIAA Adaptive Structures & Material Systems Newsletter
Under a DARPA Small Business Innovative Research Phase I contract, Midé Technology Corporation is developing novel flight control and range expansion devices for gun-launched munitions. Click for more information... (pdf)
Phase II contract for Bulkhead Shaft Seal
Mide has recently been awarded a Phase II contract to develop a smart, hydrogel Bulkhead Shaft seal, by the Navy Surface Warfare Center. Click here for more information about this innovative technology... Bulkhead Shaft Seal
