SBIR-STTR Award

Baker Engineering Inc. (BEI) proposes an advanced, electrically-assisted turbocharger to meet the needs identified in this solicitation. BEI?s solution provides a lightweight, durable, self-lubricated turbocharger that will set new standards in performance on heavy fuel engines in the 50-150 Hp class. An electrically-assisted turbocharger offers supercharger characteristics to a turbocharged engine application. The turbo retains thermal efficiency benefits through conventional use of exhaust gas energy for operation, while improving engine low end power with turbo assisted operation. Integration of emerging technologies pertaining to bearing design, lubrication methods, and variable turbine geometry further improve engine performance and turbo reliability. Alternate materials and hardware design options offer weight savings capabilities to the turbo hardware. BEI will expand upon previous electrically-assisted turbo development efforts, where the concept has been demonstrated on a new engine technology called the Opposed-piston Turbo Diesel Engine. Phase I efforts will focus on designing an electrically-assisted turbocharger for this specific application, with emphasis on drive interface, cooling/lubrication, weight reduction, durability and required electronics. During Phase II, the electrically-assisted turbocharger concept will be developed into a working prototype, incorporating data and results from the Phase I effort.

Keywords:
Turbocharger, Supercharger, Engine Development, Heavy Fuel, Jp-8, Advanced Material

The Phase II effort proposed by Baker Engineering Inc. (BEI) will improve the performance and durability of forced induction systems in small, heavy fuel engine applications (50-150 hp) while reducing the system mass and system resource requirements.This effort will include three areas of research building on work completed in the Phase I effort.A modified COTS exhaust driven turbo, featuring a rotating assembly with an advanced bearing and lubrication system, will be constructed and tested.An advanced design for an efficient electrically assisted exhaust driven turbocharger shall also be developed and prototyped, while an alternative solution featuring a mechanically driven supercharger paired with a conventional exhaust driven turbocharger will also be investigated.Testing of the prototype turbocharger and supercharger will be conducted via bench testing and on-engine testing. Operation of an improved forced induction system will be demonstrated on an appropriate engine platform at the end of this program.The Phase II effort will expand upon BEIs previous electrically-assisted turbo development efforts, where the concept has been demonstrated on a new engine technology called the Opposed-piston Turbo Diesel Engine as well as on a heavy fuel rotary engine.A TRL 7 is anticipated at the end of Phase II.