This project will develop a reliable, high efficiency, versatile liquid helium (lhe) pump for the superconducting super collider (ssc). several innovative design features will be incorporated to give the pump the following characteristics: 1) a hermetic design will eliminte all dynamic seals, 2) a… More

Oil lubricated gearboxes can be very costly with oil life and maintenance issues, complex sealing, seal shelf life issues, and oil sump requirements. Barber-Nichols Inc. will investigate alternative lubrication concepts to reduce these costs.Investigation areas will be water lubrication, dry or… More

Barber-Nichols Inc. (BNI) is pleased to present a unique and innovative Phase I research and design plan for a ¿Long Life Lox Compatible Seal¿. This seal could be used to replace current troublesome shaft seals on Liquid Oxygen Pumps as well as other cryogenic pumps. The type of seal proposed has… More

Pure oxygen is usually produced through air separation and is primarily stored as a liquid or compressed gas. Generation and storage of oxygen for use in fuel cells in self-contained underwater vehicles is particularly difficult due to the absence of airand the need to limit space and weight. … More

"A water lubricated gearbox has the potential to reduce system costs in a torpedo SCEPS propulsion system by eliminating oil lubrication seals, maintenance, and storage issues. Further, in a water based SCEPS system, a water lubricated gearbox could allowreduced parts count, complexity, and major… More

It is of great importance in most cryogenic pumping systems to minimize heat addition to the cryogen by the pump. The two main areas of heat addition are from inefficiency of the pump and conduction from the motor and ambient surroundings into the cryogen. Optimally, low heat leak cryogenic pumps… More

This proposal will present an innovative Phase I research and design plan for a reliable LOX pumping system for use in NASA vehicle loading. Due to seal problems with the current LOX loading pumps, the main focus of the Phase I effort will involve design and development of an innovative sealing… More

The current Shuttle LOX loading pumps have several issues requiring high-maintenance and resulting in low reliability. The proposed pump system would mitigate NASA's concerns on reliability in this critical application by virtue of the seal arrangement tested in Phase 1 and the design of each pump… More

76206-Heat is generated and used in many industrial processes. Although, the remaining low-temperature heat from these processes is typically dispersed to the atmosphere, this waste heat could be utilized to produce electric power for on- or off-grid use. This project addresses this need through… More

Leveraging existing Simulation Based Design and Multidisciplinary Optimization (SBD / MDO) analyses, optimal hybrid torpedo configuration(s) will be developed. Engineering analyses will be performed on a new chemical oxygen storage and delivery concept and turbomachinery for the hybrid propulsion… More

This STTR focuses on design of a hybrid propulsion system for a heavyweight torpedo. The hybrid torpedo propulsion system is designed to allow effective operation over a large turndown ratio, improving the weapon's suitability for a broad range of missions including littoral water duty. The… More

A rocket engine turbopump design using a partial emission pump combined with a zero net positive suction pressure inducer design is proposed to achieve a robust, deep throttling capability in 5k to 15k lbf thrust range rocket engines. A partial emission pump can provide better low-flow/thrust… More

Barber-Nichols will be using state-of-the art aerodynamic and acoustic design and optimization tools to improve the efficiency and acoustic signature of a current cooling fan design. The efficiency and noise levels will be improved through multi-objectiv

This project will demonstrate the benefits of a partial emission pump coupled with a zero net positive suction pressure inducer design to achieve robust, deep throttling capability. This pump application is well suited for 5k to 15k lbf thrust range rocket engines.

The intent of this project is to explore the feasibility of using a parallel connection strategy similar to a utility solution for the operation of multiple high speed turbo-generators in the 10 to 50 kW range. It is desired to connect the high frequency, 3-phase outputs of multiple… More

The proposed advanced, compact, lightweight turbine-pump (ACLTP) assembly takes advantage of the available pressure in the overboard RO seawater stream via hydraulic Turbine expansion which provides additional boost and pressurization up to the target 1,200 psid at the RO module. The ACLTP boost is… More

Propellant densification systems particularly for H2 require compression systems developing very large amounts of head. Development of this head requires multiple stages of compressors running at high speed. In the past these compressors have run on grease-packed ball bearings with very limited… More

Development of new, more efficient gas turbine engines is a lengthy process of engine test iterations to maximize performance. This engine development cycle time is driven to a large extent by the manufacturing process used to produce the engine hot section turbine components. Barber-Nichols Inc.… More

The objective of this proposal is to develop technology which will enable electricity to be produced and stored by utilizing geothermal energy emanating from the fissures in the bottom of the ocean. Geothermal energy is abundant. It is estimated that 67,000 km of ridges exist in the ocean that… More