SBIR-STTR Award

Thermal Management for the 21st Century
Award last edited on: 10/4/2007

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : Army
Total Award Amount
$798,566
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
A01-239
Principal Investigator
David Allen

Company Information

Engineered Machined Products Inc (AKA: EMP)

3111 N 28th Street PO Box 1246
Escanaba, MI 49829
   (906) 789-7497
   N/A
   www.emp-corp.com
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 01
County: Delta

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
2002
Phase I Amount
$69,278
Today's coolant system consists mainly of mechanically driven pumps, fans, thermostats, and a copper fined radiator with ethylene glycol coolant. These technologies have remained virtually unchanged for over 75 years, yet a considerable amount of the horsepower goes into this antiquated and inefficient thermal system. Controlling components such as thermostats, water pumps and fans, has demonstrated efficiency and emission improvements. Also, advances in coolant and heat exchanger technology can allow for improved heat transfer. However, these technologies have yet to be integrated together and made commercially available. Properly implemented, fuel savings improvements can be achieved. Along with this could be improvements in packaging and flexibility, which could decrease inventories, improve serviceability and allow for task specific control. Various technologies will be evaluated for use in this system including Engineered Machined Product's advanced controlled pumps and valves, along with the latest in heat exchangers, fans and coolant. The goal of this project is to define, develop and demonstrate such an advanced thermal management system for use on both military and commercial vehicles, offering a unique approach to thermal management. Properly implemented, this advanced thermal management system will offer fuel savings of up to 10%. Along with this could be improvements in packaging and flexibility, which could decrease inventories, improve serviceability and allow for task specific control. The goal of this project is to define, develop and demonstrate an advanced thermal management system for use on both military and commercial vehicles. This system will be modular, scalable and adaptable so that it could be used on many vehicles including military vehicles such as the M113, LAVIII, FMTV, heavy truck along with on and off-highway commercial vehicles.

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
2003
Phase II Amount
$729,288
The goal of this project is to develop and demonstrate an advanced, revolutionary thermal management system for use on military and commercial vehicles. This system will be efficient, modular, scalable and adaptable so that the current and future needs of the military can be met. If successful, this will offer a unique approach to thermal management, which could improve fuel economy, reliability, serviceability and emissions. Today's coolant system consists mainly of a mechanically driven pump, mechanically driven fan, melting wax thermostat, and an aluminum fined radiator with ethylene glycol coolant. These technologies have remained virtually unchanged for over 75 years, yet modern day engines have advanced significantly in almost all other areas. Over 30% of all energy generated by the engine is dissipated in this antiquated thermal system. Properly implemented, fuel savings of up to 10% could be achieved by operating a thermally optimal engine and decreasing parasitic losses. Additional benefits could include improvements in packaging and flexibility, which could decrease inventories, improve serviceability and allow for task specific control. This will be extremely important as the military moves to a more lighter, more fuel efficient, mobile force. Phase I was used to evaluate candidate technologies and develop concepts for this advanced thermal management system. It also involved analysis and math models to determine an optimal system and estimate the potential benefits. Phase II will include the system development and a proof-of-concept demonstrator vehicle. This will be used to perform head-to-head comparisons between a conventional and an advanced thermal management system. Properly implemented, this advanced thermal magement system will offer fuel savings of up to 10%. Along with this could be improvements in packaging and flexibility, which could decrease inventories, improve serveability and allow for task specific control. The goal of this project is to define, develop and demonstrate an advanced thermal management system for use on both military and commercial vehicles. This sytem will be modular, scalable and adaptable so that is could be used on many vehicles including military vehicles such as the M113,LAVlll, FMTV, heavy truck along with on and off-highway commercial vehicles.

Keywords:
thermal management, non-aqueous coolant, heat exchangers, optimization, electric pumps, parasitic loss reduction, fans, electric valves