LIQUIDPISTON, INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: AF211-DCSO1

Description

LiquidPiston, Inc (LPI) has developed a compact, efficient rotary engine architecture (the “X” Engine) which operates on an advanced, fuel-optimized thermodynamic cycle. The company has demonstrated its X?engine technology in lawn and garden, small generator, and small vehicle applications, ranging from 5 hp up to 40 hp, with both Spark Ignited (SI / multi-fuel) and Compression Ignited (CI / heavy fuel, i.e. “Diesel”) modes of combustion.  The technology scales well. Recently, the company was engaged by an industrial partner to develop an auxiliary power unit (APU) concept for aircraft, with engines up to 350kW (currently in the design stage).  The rotary X-engine operates at high speed, which pairs well with smaller, lighter, more efficient alternators. In this program, LPI proposes to adapt its newest and most advanced engine – the 25 hp “XTS?210” rotary Diesel engine – to run on JP?8 / Jet-A fuel, and demonstrate this engine coupled with an alternator, demonstrating 10kW of electrical power generation, with a pathway to reduce generator size and wight by 80-90% over the MEP-1040, a comparable 10kW AMMPS generator.