Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: To address the OSD"s need for a quiet, maintenance-free, high torque density magnetic

Description

To address the OSD"s need for a quiet, maintenance-free, high torque density magnetic gearbox, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to advance the development of the Axial Magnetic TRANsmission (AMTRAN) shown feasible in Phase I. The new magnetic gearbox design, AMTRAN is based on mechanomagnetics, magnetic coupling, and kinematics. The unique kinetic design and configuration of the permanent magnets in AMTRAN enable the high gear ratio and high torque conversion needed for different actuation and propulsion systems. As a result, the AMTRAN offers a magnetic gearbox that directly addresses the needs of several DoD agencies to increase service availability, particularly for mission-critical applications, and reduce the acoustic noisea critical factor in covert naval operations. In Phase I, POC successfully demonstrated the feasibility of the AMTRAN gear by simulation, material analysis and research, and building a working prototype of a scalable magnetic gear with gear ratio of 17.5:1. Based on the Phase I successes, in Phase II POC will fabricate an enhanced gear prototype and further optimize the design based on additional objective metrics such as vibration, torque ripple, overall cost, reliability, and form factor, and perform business case analysis, including life-cycle costs and qualification-type testing.