MECHANICAL SOLUTIONS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Solid State Lasers, high power microwaves and other future Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs)

Description

Solid State Lasers, high power microwaves and other future Directed Energy Weapons (DEWs) are notoriously inefficient, typically converting 20 percent or less of their input energy to useful output, with the remainder requiring removal in the form of heat. In most cases, the devices must be paused while the waste heat is removed. Weapon unavailability is the war fighter"s nemesis. Also perplexing: Today"s heat removal systems are bulky/heavy, and for high power systems, consume trailers full of equipment. These limitations hinder DEW development and battlefield acceptance. Mechanical Solutions, Inc. proposes a game-changing reduction in cooling system weight and size perhaps 100 to 1 or more. Key innovations: A) Refinement and application of an advanced method for transferring waste heat from the laser diodes to a commercially available and commonly used refrigerant; B) A refrigerant vapor compressor that combines several innovative technologies, resulting in a miniaturized device with performance far superior to alternative compression methods. Successful development will enable higher power, more compact, lighter devices. The direct result will be wider DEW use, including those on smaller, more efficient transporters that can be rapidly deployed into more situations, so that these devices can become an increasing part of our nation"s defense.