You are here

Lightweight Turbo-Rankine Power System

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
Contract: W31P4Q-09-C-0463
Agency Tracking Number: 08SB2-0235
Amount: $98,989.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: SB082-010
Solicitation Number: 2008.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2008
Award Year: 2009
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2009-06-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2010-01-13
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Jeffrey Breedlove
 Principal Investigator
 (603) 643-3800
 jfb@creare.com
Business Contact
 James Barry
Title: President
Phone: (603) 643-3800
Email: contractsmgr@creare.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Military operations require small engines to convert heavy fuels into mechanical power and electricity. Current engines/generators in the 7.5 kW (10 HP) range are too heavy, inefficient, and noisy for extremely mobile and/or clandestine operations. Fundamental scaling penalties and manufacturing constraints limit the performance of existing technology at this relatively low power level, making incremental advances an unlikely solution. Order-of-magnitude improvements in power density can only be achieved by developing dramatically new technology. Therefore, we propose to develop a miniature turbo-Rankine generator for these applications. The resulting generator will have extremely high power density and efficiency with nearly inaudible acoustic emissions. The system will leverage decades of advances at Creare in the performance and miniaturization of turbomachines and heat exchangers for low power thermodynamic systems such as turbo-Brayton cryocoolers and generators. We will perform design analyses, conduct trade studies, and develop preliminary designs for the components and system during Phase I, followed by fabrication and testing of a breadboard turbo-Rankine power system during Phase II.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government