TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Electronics

OBJECTIVE: Develop a high-density, high-efficiency aircraft electrical power generation system with the goal of optimizing heat load, output power, size, and/or weight of future power generation systems.

DESCRIPTION: Electrical power generation systems have inherent inefficiencies due to electrical and mechanical loss mechanisms. New technologies are sought to increase the power density and efficiency of today�s electrical power generation system. Proposed solutions for improvements to the existing electrical power generation system or through new and novel power generation system architectures/designs will be considered. This effort should specifically focus on improvements to state of the art 270 Volt Direct Current (VDC) and/or 115 Volt Alternating Current (VAC) generation systems. Potential baseline systems include 30 kVA, 115 VAC variable speed constant frequency (VSCF) and 160 kW, 270 VDC machines used in current UAS and other advanced aircraft platforms.

This topic is expected to develop and demonstrate an innovative approach to power generation that provides a 20 - 50% increase in power capacity and 10 - 15% improvement in efficiency over the planned baseline systems while maintaining equivalent weight and volume. Proposed solutions must meet all applicable military standards.

PHASE I: Define and demonstrate proof-of-concept for a high density, high efficiency power generation system for UAS applications. Validation can be accomplished through analytical tools or through bench top hardware/test data. Selected candidates are encouraged to maximize the use of computer modeling and simulation techniques in this study.

PHASE II: Design, develop and provide a bread board demonstration or detailed analytical model of a high density, high efficiency electrical power generation system for UAS applications. Provide a detailed analysis as to the expected improvements (i.e. power density, efficiency, reliability, etc.) when compared to the baseline UAS electrical power generation system. Provide a comprehensive analysis of all integration and interface issues which may result from the new design.

PHASE III: Package new electrical power generation technology to perform demonstrations in a high fidelity laboratory environment (including full qualification testing) and/or flight test demonstration. Transition the developed technology to appropriate Navy platforms.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: The results of this work can be commercialized to numerous industries requiring electrical power generation systems including aviation, automotive, utilities, etc. This will result in an increase in power density and efficiency for electrical power generation devices that will ultimately result in improved reliability, smaller size/weight, and increased power output when compared to today�s state-of-the-art generation capabilities.

REFERENCES:
1. Chapman, S.J. (1999). "Electric Machinery Fundamentals" (3rd ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill Higher Education. ISBN 0-07-011950-3.

2. Fitzgerald, A.E., Kingsley Jr., C., & Umans, S.D. (1990). "Electric Machinery" (5th ed.). Boston: McGraw Hill. ISBN 0-07-021134-5.

3. Liebermann, E., Jacobs, S., & Babad, C. (2004). SAE document number 2004-01-3155. "Generator Survivability in the Hot Environment Associated with Low-Pressure Turbine Installation." DOI: 10.4271/2006-01-3056

4. Vaidya, J. & Gregory, E. (2004).SAE document number 2004-01-3174. "High-Speed Induction Generator for Applications in Aircraft Power Systems." DOI: 10.4271/2004-01-3174

5. MIL-E-85583A. ELECTRIC POWER GENERATING CHANNEL, VARIABLE INPUT SPEED, ALTERNATING CURRENT, 400 HZ, AIRCRAFT, GENERAL SPECIFICATION FOR.

6. MIL-G-21480. Generator System, Electric Power, 400 Hertz, Alternating Current, Aircraft; General Specification for.

7. MIL-STD-810. Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests.

KEYWORDS: Generator; Power Density; Efficiency; Electrical Power; Aircraft; Thermal

Questions may also be submitted through DoD SBIR/STTR SITIS website.