
Alternate Sled Track Braking MechanismAward last edited on: 11/10/2024
Sponsored Program
SBIRAwarding Agency
DOD : NavyTotal Award Amount
$1,339,806Award Phase
2Solicitation Topic Code
N201-023Principal Investigator
Tony MorrisCompany Information
American Maglev Technology Inc (AKA: AMT~American Maglev Technology of Florida Inc)
Location: Multiple
Congr. District: 11
County: Cobb
Congr. District: 11
County: Cobb
Phase I
Contract Number: N68936-20-C-0063Start Date: 6/2/2020 Completed: 9/7/2021
Phase I year
2020Phase I Amount
$239,856Benefit:
The completely passive eddy current brake will eliminate the need for almost all the auxiliary systems in place to support the current system, especially the diesel-powered pump. The system proposed using wayside magnets will increase the cost of the track, but the gain is a simplification of the brake operation with the elimination of the underground vault. Regulatory burdens will be lightened, and safety will increase with the reduced likelihood of a hazardous event while in operation or during maintenance. ???????The development, testing and commissioning of such technology would be of extreme benefit to SNORT and the DoDs other high-speed test tracks, including Holloman Air Force Base, Hurricane Mesa and Eglin AFB, where ground testing has proven to be an order of magnitude less costly than flight testing, especially when it comes to testing missiles, ejection seats and other mission-critical aerospace systems. The technology would also be synergistic with AMTs ongoing development of sustainable mass-transportation magnetic levitation technology for passengers and cargo.
Keywords:
Test Track, Test Track, Eddy current, magnet, high-speed, SNORT, Brake
Phase II
Contract Number: N68936-22-C-0012Start Date: 12/16/2021 Completed: 12/19/2024
Phase II year
2022Phase II Amount
$1,099,950Benefit:
The goal of the Phase II program is to investigate the ability to eliminate the need for many of the present auxiliary systems, especially the diesel-powered pump and underground vault, thus lightening regulatory burdens and increasing the level of safety with a reduced likelihood of hazardous braking events, creating additional value for the Navy. It will further commercial development and enable implementation of braking and launch systems for DoD missile test ranges and potential private commercial and space ventures. Compared to the current approach, it is anticipated that much lower life cycle costs for missile test sled braking will result in significant operations and maintenance cost savings will be realized over the useful life of the new braking system. The fully implemented and tested solution can be expanded in a sequential Phase II or Phase III program to reach much higher hypersonic speeds with very little or perhaps no change to the core design of this passive and elegant solution. In addition to SNORT at China Lake, our relationships with Holloman AFB and Eglin AFB, which operate world-class test facilities for high speed sled track testing, navigation and guidance system testing, among many other activities. AMTs ongoing relationship with Collins Aerospace is also expected to leverage the ability to integrate this technology at the Hurricane Mesa facility. This program also supports ongoing DoD development programs for the resupply of solid rocket motors (JESTR) as well as cold launch opportunities that will employ linear synchronous motors in lieu of rocket motors for more safe and cost effective missile sled testing. The work product developed under this SBIR program will support further advances in missile testing as DoD accelerates development and widescale implementation of hypersonic missile technology across all DoD platforms.
Keywords:
hypersonic test, magnetic , Eddy current, Eddy current brake, SNORT, Magnetic Braking, passive braking