BAKER ENGINEERING, LLC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: X224-OCSO1

Description

SBIR Abstract X224-OCSO1 FX224-OCSO1-1103 – Supercharger for Small Engines Current Word Count: 200   Alternate fuel adoption away from gasoline in small internal combustion engines for combat operations, especially small Unmanned Aerial Systems, has been difficult due to the reduction in engine specific power output (power/volume & power/weight) when operating on alternate fuels.  Power output is reduced when operating on heavy-fuels (DF-2, JP-5, JP-8/F24) because a minimum of 30% excess air must be present to maintain good engine operation, while gaseous hydrogen displaces up to 30% of air volume, reducing the amount of combustible air drawn into the engine.  Both situations result in an ~15% reduction in power output when compared to a gasoline engine.   To address this issue in larger engines, a power adder (turbocharger or supercharger) is added to increase the density of the incoming fresh air, increasing engine power output.  Like many other engine components, power adders to not scale smaller very effectively, resulting in engine systems that are larger and heavier than simply going to a larger displacement engine.    Baker Engineering seeks to prove through careful design and analysis that commercially available vapor-refrigeration compressor technology is feasible as a lightweight, efficient and economical supercharger.  Having already demonstrated the initial concept, Baker Engineering will update the design, build, and test the supercharger under the Phase I program.  Following a successful demonstration in the Phase I program, the technology will be applied and tested on a small, single cylinder heavy-fuel engine during the Phase II program.