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Biomimetic Underwater Propulsion System Using Hybrid Synthetic Muscles

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Navy 		Award ID:
55991 		Program Year/Program:
2003 / STTR
Agency Tracking Number:
N023-0111 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Tao of Systems Integration, Inc.
1100 Exploration Way Hampton, VA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2003
Title: Biomimetic Underwater Propulsion System Using Hybrid Synthetic Muscles
Agency / Branch: DOD / NAVY
Contract: N00014-03-C-0426
Award Amount: $470,407.00
 

Abstract:

Currently, surface ship or underwater vehicle propulsors have fixed blade geometries. This introduces limitations, which are common in most passive control/geometry systems, when compared to active control/geometry systems. A typical limitation, forexample, is the performance degradation suffered by passive systems at off-design conditions. An opportunity therefore arises to develop active propulsor geometry reconfiguration technologies towards enhancing the propulsor''s cavitation performance, toproduce vectored and/or reversing thrust, to reduce wake and reducing/altering acoustic signatures of military ships. Current technologies for addressing these issues either do not exist or use exotic mechanical systems that are heavy, complex and costly.Having a propeller that can optimize its loading at any given speed and depth could save millions of barrels of fuel every year while providing improved stealth features. Compact muscles/actuators will be designed to simultaneously achieve high stroke,force and power density values. These muscles will be incorporated in the blades of a typical propulsor in order to achieve active blade geometry reconfiguration, with emphasis on cambering, with the objective of enhancing the propulsor?s hydrodynamicperformance, especially at off-design conditions, and reducing the necessary rotational speed thus leading to acoustic noise reduction. The proposed innovation will find potential applications in the design of high performance, low noise helicopter blades,propellers, turbomachines, keel and rudder of racing sail boats and other marine vehicles, pumps, etc.

Principal Investigator:

Siva Mangalam
President
7572205040
siva@taosystem.com

Business Contact:

Siva Mangalam
President
7572205040
siva@taosystem.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

Tao of Systems Integration, Inc.
471 McLaws Circle, Suite 1 Williamsburg, VA 23185

EIN/Tax ID: 541700330
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
Research Institution Information:
TEXAS A&M UNIV.
Office of Sponsored Research, 332 Wisenbaker Engin
College Station, TX 77843
Contact: Glenn Mathews
Contact Phone: (979) 862-1696
RI Type: Nonprofit college or university