Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To address the OSD"s need to design, develop a prototype, and evaluate a quiet, maint

Description

To address the OSD"s need to design, develop a prototype, and evaluate a quiet, maintenance-free, high torque density magnetic gearbox, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to analyze different magnetic gear topologies with respect to OSD"s need and develop a new viable solution, the Axial Magnetic TRANsmission (AMTRAN). This proposed device is a new magnetic gearbox design based on mechanomagnetics, magnetic coupling, and kinematics. As a result, the AMTRAN offers a high-torque, noncontact maximal magnetic coupling with no lubrication requirement, and input-output shaft isolation, which directly addresses the needs of several DOD agencies to increase service availability, particularly for mission-critical applications and reduce the noise signature. In Phase I, POC will analyze the proposed gear, along with other topologies with respect to OSD/Navy requirements. The kinematics of the designs and their components will also be analyzed with finite element analysis (FEA) software to verify the candidate design principle in terms of noise level, maintenance, reliability, lubrication requirements, form factors, and other performance metrics such as magnetic hysteresis, gear ratio, efficiency, and torque density. In Phase II, POC plans to fabricate a proof-of-concept prototype, optimize the design, and perform business case analysis (BCA), including trade-space analysis and life-cycle costs.