Since you are interested in future engine technologies, take a look at the Navy SBIR awardees and their technology. This is the same SBIR that AFT applied for but was not granted. A couple of these awards were for rotary engines.
Candent Technologies Incorporated
6107 W. Airport Blvd Suite 190
Greenfield, IN 46140
Phone:
PI:
Topic#: (317) 336-4477
Emanuel Papandreas
NAVY 09-122 Awarded: 11/17/2009
Title: New Generation Gas Turbine for Small Boat Propulsion
Abstract: The next generation of riverine craft and naval unmanned surface vehicles will require more capability, including higher payload and volume needed to carry more troops and their equipment, increased ballistic protection, more weapons, and additional mission equipment. In order to meet system integration requirements and maintain the maneuverability and agility required for survivability, these craft must be kept near the weight of current craft, while still attaining the required mission range and capability. Because the propulsion system is such a high percentage of the overall weight, it is considered to be a high payoff candidate for weight reduction initiatives. Candent Technologies is developing a new generation of small gas turbine engines which are particularly applicable to small riverine craft. This new generation of highly efficient turbine engines retains the light weight and small size characteristic of gas turbines, but their fuel consumption is close to that of a diesel engine. This low cost engine is based on the Proof of Concept prototype designed, built, and tested by Candent Technologies under contract to the US Army. The proposed engine will provide substantial weight savings and improved performance for the next generation of riverine craft.
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EngineTec, Inc.
1397 Taylor Farm Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23453
Phone:
PI:
Topic#: (757) 468-5102
Douglas Hahn
NAVY 09-122 Awarded: 11/17/2009
Title: Advanced Marine Engine for Combatant Craft Increased Payload
Abstract: Today’s riverine forces employ combatant patrol/assault craft that rely on speed, acceleration, and maneuverability for survivability and multi-mission success. These capabilities are at risk because of the increasing demand to carry more extensive payloads. Current diesel fuel propulsion systems are typically modifications of truck or industrial engines with a weight to power ratio of 3-5. By reducing the propulsion weight, the craft will be able carry more extensive payloads. The three engine choices are diesel, gasoline, and turbine. Current diesel engines don’t meet the weight goal. Gasoline engines are not an option due to fleet requirements. Turbine engines have an unacceptable thermal signature. However, a novel engine, the Linear Power Transmission (LPT) engine has the greatest potential to meet the 1lb/hp goal. The original engine, by Herrmann, which received FAA certification in the 1950’s, weighed 237 lbs and produced 200 hp. This proposal seeks to demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative multi-fuel marine engine, based on the LPT, we currently produce. Project goals include an engine design that is scalable or can be modularized, 100-700Hp range for direct drive systems, weight-to-power ratio less than or equal to 1.0, and able to withstand marine operational duty cycles with extended life cycle.
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Katech Inc.
24324 Sorrentino Court
Clinton Twp, MI 48035
Phone:
PI:
Topic#: (586) 791-4120
Stephen Chue
NAVY 09-122 Awarded: 11/17/2009
Title: Advanced Marine Engine for Combatant Craft Increased Payload
Abstract: Speed, acceleration, and maneuverability of today’s combatant patrol and assault crafts are critical capabilities to the riverine’s survivability and mission success. The demand for constant increase in payloads jeopardized these capabilities due to increase in craft weight. The current diesel fuel propulsion systems are typically large and heavy with weight-to-power ratios in the 3 to 5 range because they are mostly designed for heavy truck and land-based power generation. In addition, the reliability and life span of these propulsion systems suffer because the duty cycle of a marine combatant craft is different than that of the land-based applications. As a result, a new innovative multi-fuel power plant has been proposed to achieve a weight-to-power ratio of 1 reliably. This engine was designed based on (1) over 30 years of successful racing engines design and development experience, (2) extensive use of race-proven high specific strength materials, (3) rotary valve variable valve timing concept, (4) parasitic losses reduction through minimizing friction and pumping losses, (5) modular engine architecture for different displacement to suit a variety of applications, (6) advanced engine calibration to optimize engine performance depending on the combustion characteristics of each fuel, and (7) Optional-innovative dynamic compression ratio variation.
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Spytek Aerospace Corporation
450 Frontier Way, Unit D
Bensenville, IL 60106
Phone:
PI:
Topic#: (630) 595-9133
Christopher Spytek
NAVY 09-122 Awarded: 11/17/2009
Title: Marine Inter Turbine Burner Equiped Turboshaft Engine for Combatant Craft Increased Payload
Abstract: Our twin spool Inter Turbine Burner (ITB) equipped turbine engine is throttleable between 50 Hp to 700 Hp with a weight-to-power ratio (including gearbox) approaching .50 and possesses multi-fuel capability. A demonstration of this unique turbine technology, hybrid capable, marine applications is proposed. The Phase I TRL4 demonstration will include: • Demonstration that an ITB equipped turboshaft engine weighs five times less than a conventional diesel engine with comparable power and BSFC; • Investigation into technology optimization to withstand marine duty cycles and environments while retaining life performance; • Definition regarding multi-module stacking for larger applications to achieve commonality across a family of craft sizes; • Preliminary research into noise and vibration controls; • Estimates regarding mission flexibility, repair, and expeditionary land- based applications, and • Evaluation of hybrid type operations and distributed power applications. The option program defines an ITB equipped turboshaft engine optimized for implementation into advanced hull forms published in the Navy Expeditionary Combat Command Science and Technology Strategic Plan. Phase II TRL6-7 demonstration includes a marine configured ITB engine operational between 50 Hp to 1000 Hp, weight-to-power ratio (including gearbox) below .50 and BSFC less than .50. Installation into a pre-selected combatant craft will be investigated.
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