DDG-51 Fuel Valve Actuators

Problem: Current electronic valve actuators are costly to maintain. The USS BARRY, test ship for the new Navy Improved Fuel Fill Control  System (IFFCS), has experienced excessive failures of the 6 actuators that form the basis for the IFFCS.

Solution: Obtain two or more new electronic valve actuators that show great promise of increased performance and test fully integrated with the IFFCS on the USS BARRY.

Navy POC
Pete Kristiansen
NAVSEA-05N
(202) 781-3572

No Photo Available

Benefits

Estimated Navy Cost Avoidance:

Minimum annual:             $250 K

Minimum 15 Year:        $3,750 K

Fleet Impact: Use of highly reliable valve actuators will permit ships to refuel with much greater confidence of avoiding environmental spills and accidents. The DDG IFFCS test bed could be exported to all surface ships.

Status: Ongoing

USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG-51) is the designated test ship. Three actuator models were installed in November-December 2002: Auma, Limitorque and Rotorque. Additionally, Bath Iron Works is installing actuators on two DDGs: Tri-Tec on USS HIGGINS (DDG-76) and USS GONZALES (DDG-66). At-sea testing has commenced on all of these ships.

Applications
• Initially, 40 ships of DDG_51 Class.
• Potential extension to all surface ships if IFFCS system is validated.