SBIR-STTR Award

The phase I program will be directed toward the development of a high-temperature, high-speed turbine wheel driven by high-temperature compressed air. Concepts and details will be formulated and designed with regard to efficiency, weight, cost, operating parameters, and reliability. Overall size of the turbine wheel will be less than 8 inches in diameter. Turbine wheel/nozzle configurations will be analyzed and evaluated inconjunction with operating parameters (12kw nominal, 100 krpm, efficiency greater than 50%, and inlet air temperature from 2,500-3,500 degrees f. And an operational life of more than 100 hours at design speed. Various ceramic and composite materials will be reviewed and selected based upon operating stresses and thermal/fluid compatibility commensurate with physical properties, availability, cost and manufacturing ease. Computer analyses will be utilized in modeling steady state turbine performance characteristics, dynamic balance/stability, damping, bearing preload, and stress surveys, to establish complete design criteria. In addition, air turbine technology experience with high-speed spindles and high horsepower turbines will be used to advance the ability to machine high abrasive or super hard materials using high surface speed diamond cutters.

This work will produce a completely integrated stand-alone power system with controllable output from 0-12kw to meet variable demand loads with minimum specific fuel consumption. The heart of this system will be a turboalternator under development by previously awarded Phase II activity and further enhanced for higher temperature application under the current Phase I contract preceding this proposal. The power system will also incorporate the benefits of current Phase I contracting by other companies to refine formulations of solid propellant fuels for gas generation to supply compressed working fluids which are expanded through the turbine drive to produce shaft power. A high speed alternator will then convert this power to a rectified and regulated electrical output. The entire system will be an integrated, self contained "power cell" capable of autonomous installation in weapons, vehicles, and spacecraft. Attendant study will target alternate fuels and multifueled gas generators, increased temperature limits of components, increased power density, and increased power to weight ratio.