Advanced Compact Inductor for Sonar Applications

Mainstream Engineering Corporation is developing highly compact inductor technology for unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) sonar systems. Our technology has an inductance per unit volume of approximately 105 mH/in3 and is 22% smaller than the existing inductors. In Phase I, we designed, fabricated, and tested a series of different inductors to validate our analytical model and prove the feasibility of the technology. During the 6 month Phase I Option, we will focus on modifying our design for the ONR’s Low Frequency Range Tracking Transducer (LF RTT) and Underwater Weapons Transducer (UWX) programs, and performing additional electrical and thermal testing of the designs in simulated operating environments using our thermal chamber. In Phase II, we will work with BAE Systems and the ONR to refine our design for their specific applications, manufacture volume-optimized inductors for their programs, and deliver inductors to ONR and BAE for production qualification testing. This means that a Phase III program will not be necessary to bring this technology to production because we will complete Phase II with production already underway.