SBIR-STTR Award

Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems Develops and Manufactures heavy fuel engines for UAVs and is proposing using a purpose built engine for a ScanEagle sized UAS combined with a novel Axial Flux Motor/Generator system and a electric clutch system currently availalbe as a COTS item. We have teamed with Oregon State University for control design & Insitu Inc. for acoustical & flight testing to develop a hybrid propulsion system that provides adequate mission performance with stealth capabilities.

Benefit:
Duration, decreased noise signature for ISR and Border Control Missions, hybrid vehicle design, small diesel generation units for plug-in electric vehicles, Aircraft Axilary Power Units.

Keywords:
Hybrid Propulsion System, Heavy Fuel Engine, Energy Storage, Noise Reduction

The proposed effort to develop a modular Hybrid UAV Propulsion system whereby the best ICE or Turbine generator can be integrated as it is developed. Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems will work with AMRDEC and utilize the data collected on several EM and ESC that AMRDEC has tested over the last year. Over the next 24 months, NW UAV will utilize Wind Tunnel (WT) data on an EM/VPP combination, to potentially conduct round 2 of AMRDEC demo by flying a twin-prop EM Shadow. This would favor 3 VPP deliverables (1 for ground and WT testing, and 2 for flight demo) integrated with Electric Motor. The focus of the proposed effort is on the electro-mechanical segment of the propulsion module (EM, ESC, batt, VPP, VPP control), while making assumptions and emulating the generator.

Keywords:
Hybrid Propulsion System, Variable Pitch Propeller, Axial Flux Generator, Hybrid Motor Controller.