SBIR-STTR Award

The technology offered by our Low Drag- Ram Air Turbine Invention (LD-RATG) addresses the major limitations of the present ram air turbine systems of the type used on the AN/ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System Pod. Our system is ducted, with an electronic control system sensing turbine speed, adjusting the center body of a variable inlet which is working in conjunction with a variable nozzle to supply controlled airflow to an internal turbine. This maintains minimal air inlet spill over drag for all combined flight /electrical loading conditions. We have developed a small engineering prototype that has successfully demonstrated full function in wind tunnel tests at air speeds of up to 225 knots. This system has not yet been fully optimized to maximize performance, and an estimated 30 % efficiency increase will be needed to reach the goal of 40 kW in a size compatible with the pod. Using the present prototype design as a test bed, we will develop analytical models correlated with the experimental performance, to study, develop and experimentally verify design improvement strategies to increase the efficiency. Anticipated design improvements that will be addressed include a more streamlined center body, thinner stator airfoils, and twisting of the turbine blades.

Benefit:
This research will assist upgrading the efficiency and increasing the size and power output of our LD-RATG making it a candidate for the Navy AN/ALQ-99. Other potential applications are for energy and auxiliary power on UAVs, UCAVs and business jets.

Keywords:
Low Drag, Low Drag, Improved Stator Design, Ram Air Turbine, Improved Turbine Design

The SBIR Phase II project will initially involve engineering, testing, and evaluation of a ground testable low drag-ram air turbine generator prototype used to determine the design requirements of a flight worthy unit. The design will be modified as required based on test results and analysis by computer modeling techniques prior to building two flight worthy prototypes. The prototype production process will include the manufacture or procurement of all mechanical, electrical, and electronic components, and testing/evaluation of system subassemblies before final assembly. Laboratory vibration and shock testing of the prototype will be followed by blower cell evaluation for power output. Anticipated Phase III will involve Safety-of-Flight ground tests followed by support of flight testing.

Benefit:
The low drag-ram air turbine generator will operate as a direct replacement for the current RATgen system on the EA-6B radar jamming AN/ALQ-99 pod at 27 kVA output. The 27 kVA generator used in the present RAT can be utilized in this system. This version of the invention is also capable of powering the AN/ALQ-99 pod on the EA-18 aircraft for the entire flight envelope up to 40 kVA, with potential use on future EA-18 advanced radar jamming pod systems.

Keywords:
constant turbine/generator speed, minimum spill over drag, supersonic speed capability, electronic speed control, variable nozzle, flush variable inlets, high turbine efficiency, low drag ram air turbine generator