SBIR-STTR Award

SOCOM needs powerplants that can combine the power density of gasoline fueled engines with the lowered fire hazard and logistical simplicity of Diesel fueled engines. The primary application is an outboard motor with a nominal rating of 55 hp. This engine also has applications for ultralight aircraft, marine and other platforms throughout the military. There are no commercially available products, foreign or domestic, that meet this specification. VAIREX proposes to use their proprietary Variable Positive Displacement Supercharger (VPDS) to increase the power density of a small (20-25 hp) industrial Diesel by raising the engine's inlet pressure ratio from 3.5 to 4.0, in addition to increasing the operating speed to 4200 rpm. Power densities over 0.40 hp/lb should be achievable at a 1,000 hour design life. This VPDSupercharged Diesel engine will be integrated into a domestically manufactured outboard "lower end" in Phase II. The Phase I SBIR tasks include Product Definition, Engine Selection, and a Supercharger Evaluation Test. Commercial products based on technological spin-offs from this program include Diesel APUs for Hybrid Electric Vehicles, air management systems for vehicular fuel cell power systems and small displacement superchargers for the automotive industry.

Keywords:
Diesel Supercharged Power-Density Outboard Engine Light-Weight Production Multiple-Platform

SOCOM and the US military need engines that operate on JP-8 and other heavy fuels for outboard motors and other applications. This objective requires the power density of compression ignition engines be increased by a factor of three or more. The VAIREX Variable Positive Displacement Supercharger (VPDS ) has significantly higher pressure capabilities than other known superchargers. In January of 1996, SOCOM awarded VAIREX a Phase I SBIR grant to investigate the feasibility of using the VPDS to meet the power density objective. A computer simulation developed by VAIREX predicted that boost pressures of 3.5:1, when applied to a production industrial compression ignition engine, could meet the performance targets. A VPD capable of producing pressure ratios of 4.0:1 was designed, fabricated and tested. In response to a Phase II RFP requested by SOCOM, VAIREX proposes to deliver a demonstration outboard motor to SOCOM for evaluation. To support these efforts and prepare for Phase III, VAIREX has enlisted the participation of Mercury Marine, Ford Motor Company and Perkins Technology, Inc. These affiliations provide access to critical expertise in marine products, compression ignition engine design, advanced materials, as well as commercialization of the technology embodiment developed for SOCOM.

Keywords:
Diesel Supercharged Power-Density Outboard Engine Light-Weight Production Multiple-Platform