SBIR-STTR Award

The majority of the smart weapons that constitute the primary threat to ground combat vehicles incorporate infrared (IR) seekers that use thermal sources as their targeting reference. Therefore, in order to increase the survivability and combat effectiveness of military ground vehicles, it is desirable to reduce the vehicle's thermal emissions. The visual and infrared images in Figure 1 show how the hot engine exhaust outlet on the front right portion of the M-113 creates the most significant input to the overall IR image. Although a variety of combat vehicle exhaust suppressors have already been developed, this program will put together a systematic, integrated approach for the development of a host of exhaust suppressors for present and future vehicles. This program will investigate exhaust suppression virtual design, and exhaust suppression optimization by using and integrating modeling techniques with hot flow testing. Commercial applications could include thermal energy control, heat shielding, exhaust flow analysis, and engine cooling system design. The primary area would be in the automotive field, however, other applications may be found in the fields of transportation, manufacturing and power generation.

The objective of this program is to develop an integrated approach to obtaining cooler exhaust temperatures, which has minimal impact on vehicle weight, power, and internal space. There were four technical objectives in Phase I:1.Identify the virtual design models and computer prediction software that will be used in the computer design phase of the integrated development program; 2.Identify the hot flow test facility or facilities that will be used in the prototype hardware test phase of the integrated development program; 3.Validate the accuracy of the selected virtual design models and computer prediction software by running non-complex computer designed exhaust suppressor shapes on the Temeku hot exhaust flow test rig and comparing the predicted and actual results; 4.Plan, organize and document the systematic process that integrates the computer design phase with the prototype hardware test phase.

Keywords:
SUPPRESSION, EMISSION, EXHAUST, INFRARED, SIGNATURE, THERMAL, SURVIVABILITY