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Transpiration-Cooled Hydrocarbon-Fueled Scramjet Engine

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
73109 		Program Year/Program:
2005 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F051-195-2767 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Ultramet
12173 Montague Street Pacoima, CA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2005
Title: Transpiration-Cooled Hydrocarbon-Fueled Scramjet Engine
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA8650-05-M-2592
Award Amount: $99,996.00
 

Abstract:

The Air Force is seeking advanced cooling concepts for scramjet engines for use in hypersonic cruise missiles, Mach 8-10 strike/reconnaissance aircraft, and affordable, on-demand access to space. In current work for the Air Force, Ultramet and Boeing/Rocketdyne are demonstrating the performance and manufacturing feasibility of a transpiration-cooled oxygen/hydrogen rocket engine for boost applications, based on the use of Ultramet's open-cell foam materials. The design is much less complex and offers lower weight than conventional regeneratively cooled engines. The high propellant density and high thrust-to-weight ratio associated with hydrocarbon propellants make them very attractive; however hydrocarbon propellants can cause coolant channel coking. Although pressure, flow rate, and coolant wall permeability requirements are quite different for hydrocarbon-fueled engines compared to oxygen/hydrogen engines, the potential exists to develop an innovative material and design approach for practical use of high-efficiency hydrocarbon propellants without coking issues. In this project, Ultramet will team with Pratt and Whitney to demonstrate the feasibility of a transpiration-cooled, hydrocarbon-fueled scramjet engine based on the use of advanced structural foam materials. This project will take advantage of the substantial scramjet development work performed at Pratt & Whitney and previous rocket engine materials development performed at Ultramet.

Principal Investigator:

Brian E. Williams
Director of Research Engineering
8188990236
brian.williams@ultramet.com

Business Contact:

Craig N. Ward
Engineering Administrative Manager
8188990236
craig.ward@ultramet.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

ULTRAMET
12173 Montague Street Pacoima, CA 91331

EIN/Tax ID: 952662293
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No