SBIR-STTR Award

Demonstration of a Compact High-Efficiency Magnetic-Bearing Chiller
Award last edited on: 7/15/2013

Sponsored Program
SBIR
Awarding Agency
DOD : MDA
Total Award Amount
$1,072,443
Award Phase
2
Solicitation Topic Code
SDIO92-007
Principal Investigator
Lawrence R Grzyll

Company Information

Mainstream Engineering Corporation

200 Yellow Place
Rockledge, FL 32955
   (321) 631-3550
   info@mainstream-engr.com
   www.mainstream-engr.com
Location: Single
Congr. District: 08
County: Brevard

Phase I

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase I year
1992
Phase I Amount
$49,443
This research will develop an innovative and effective technique for the removal of heat from high heat flux electronic components. The cooling fluid is passed through micro-channels engraved in chip substrate which acts as an evaporator in a heat pump loop. The flow in micro-channels is controlled automatically by a TXV to provide subcooled nucleate boiling with no dry out in the channels. This results in a very large heat transfer coefficient and consequently low and isothermal temperature for the electronic components. Fundamental heat transfer measurements for both steady-state and transient two-phase flow in micro-channels will be performed for different combinations of operating pressure, passage size and configuration, fluid flow rate, and fluid properties. The effort will experimentally demonstrate that the proposed pulsed-power electronic cooling system has significant benefits in terms of reduced weight, increased reliability, rapid response, increased heat flux in excess of 2x10(6) W/m(2)),and increased operational flexibility when compared to alternative rapid-transient electronic cooling designs.

Keywords:
Heat Electronic Components Fluid Micro-Channels Chip Evaporator Pulsed-Power

Phase II

Contract Number: ----------
Start Date: ----    Completed: ----
Phase II year
1998
Phase II Amount
$1,023,000
This effort will demonstrate a unique high efficiency lubricant free magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller through both extensive laboratory and field testing at a BMDO specifiedfacility. This magnetic bearing centrifugal compressor represents technology advances currently not available in usits beingmanufactured and osld by the commercial chillermanufacturers. This proposal details thesubstantial improvements in efficiency providedbylubricant free technology and the dramatic savingsin capitol, operating, and maintenance costs itcan provide.This technology has tremendous commercialpotential and has already attracted significantinterest. It incorporates unique features such asvariable speed control to provide load following,environmentally-safe, non-toxic HFC refreigerantto improve performance and integrated maintenancecapabilities. The fundamenta high efficiency. Lowtonnage compressor technology has already beend eveloped under an existing DoD SBIR research effort. This 24 month effort will serve as adramatic demonstration of the technology and itssignificant advantages over existing commercialsystmes. Mainstream has a dollar for dollar matchof BMDO fundsfor the entire program.

Keywords:
Magnetic-Bearings; Chillers