Dual Mode Waste Heat Scavenging System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Navy SBIR FY2010.3 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.3 Topic No.: N103-208 Topic Title: Dual Mode Waste Heat Scavenging System for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Proposal No.: N103-208-0208 Firm: Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation 9950 Wakeman Drive Manassas, Virginia 20110 Contact: James Sisco Phone: (617) 500-4835 Web Site: www.aurora.aero Abstract: In a typical unmanned aerial vehicle a significant proportion of the propulsion system power output is converted to electrical power to operate payload and avionics hardware. The removal or significant reduction of the growing electric power generation load from the engine could lead to extended mission endurance by reducing the fuel burned for electrical power production, and by reducing the mass of both primary and backup power conversion/energy storage systems. We propose to assess the feasibility of reducing engine power generation loads and increasing system endurance by scavenging waste heat from vehicle subsystems using thermoelectric generator technology. An innovative solution is proposed whereby energy harvested from both the high temperature heat source of the engine exhaust stream is combined with energy harvested from the comparatively low temperatures of the liquid streams used to cool the onboard electronics and potentially engine components. To efficiently combine these multiple power sources, power management electronics are used to process scavenged electrical power and manage temperatures in the liquid coolant streams to maintain the electronic equipment operation within prescribed limits. The innovation proposed here is a conformable system architecture that is both modular and scalable for use over an extended range of unmanned system applications. Benefits: The successful completion of the Phase I effort for this program will result in: 1) the establishment of preliminary designs for both hot gas and liquid based thermoelectric devices, 2) a validated suite of tools to model their performance, 3) a preliminary power management system design, and 4) an assessment of the feasibility of employing a waste heat energy conversion system on an unmanned aerial vehicle. We believe that by the completion of the Phase I extension effort the technology could be demonstrated to a technology readiness level of five. We believe that this technology will enable new, innovative power system architectures for unmanned aerial vehicles, and lead to increased performance and expanded capabilities. As a result, this technology will be marketed directly to unmanned aerial system developers as well as propulsion system manufacturers. Additionally, this technology may find use in other areas of the aerospace and motor vehicle industries in situations where additional power is needed and a high temperature heat source are present. Return