Smart Rotor Systems licenses NRC vibration suppression technology

June 2011 — The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Smart Rotor Systems Inc. (SRS) announced today their agreement for SRS to use a NRC-patented structural component designed to control vibrations in helicopter rotors and aircraft wings.

Ottawa-based Smart Rotor Systems Inc. (SRS) specializes in innovative vibration and noise control technology for the rotorcraft market. SRS intends to lead the helicopter market toward a new solution for simultaneous noise and vibration control.

Developed by the NRC Institute for Aerospace Research (NRC Aerospace) in Ottawa, this technology will increase forward flight speed, reduce operational costs, and allow for lighter, longer-lasting components. It will also increase maintenance intervals and reduce the incidence of vibration-induced back pain, which can shorten a pilot’s service time.

“One of the top objectives of NRC Aerospace is to contribute its R&D expertise to small and medium-sized enterprises,” says Jerzy Komorowski, Director General of NRC Aerospace. “Smart Rotor Systems already has a track record for such innovations and is an ideal candidate to develop this one further.”

“We are very pleased to partner with NRC in licensing this technology,” says Kostyantyn Khomutov, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Rotor Systems Inc. “Combined with our own innovations, it will help us quickly enter an international market worth US$15 billion annually where some 2,000 helicopters are sold each year. We intend to have the first serial production helicopter equipped with this technology and ready for test flight by 2012.”

About Smart Rotor Systems Inc.

Smart Rotor Systems Inc. (SRS) is a spin-off company from the Carleton University Rotorcraft Research Group in Ottawa, Canada.

SRS offers a unique structural control system – the Active Pitch Link – also known as the Smart Active Vibration Suppression System, which can reduce vibration by 60%. SRS also offers flow control devices – the Actively Controlled Flap and the Actively Controlled Spoiler – that help to control noise and vibration simultaneously. The company also has unique expertise in performing aeroelastic computational simulations of rotor-based technologies. SRS is the only company in the world with a patented simultaneous vibration and noise reduction technology of its kind, and is the only company in Canada that can design, develop and certify scaled rotary-wing blades.

SRS is also licensed to apply the NRC technology to power tools, consumer appliances, wind turbines, and automotive, ship and aircraft engines and propellers.

About the National Research Council Canada

Recognized globally for research and innovation, the National Research Council Canada is a leader in the development of an innovative, knowledge-based economy for Canada through science and technology. Its Institute for Aerospace Research is Canada's national aerospace laboratory, undertaking and promoting research and development in support of the Canadian aerospace community in matters affecting the design, manufacture, performance, use and safety of aerospace vehicles.

For more information, visit the NRC’s website