Small Engines Designed for High Efficiency, High Power Density and Quiet Operations

The overall objective of the Phase II proposed effort is to develop the crucial oil-free, high-speed power generation system technologies that will make a suite of small modular engines for power and propulsion having thermal efficiency greater than 25% and specific power > 1 HP/lb. The overall goal is an integrated, compact, and oil-free prototype 8-12 kW turbogenerator system. MiTi®’s key contributions to this development are our oil-free high-speed machinery expertise, foil bearing technology, and demonstrated ability to integrate foil bearing and high speed motor/generator spindles. Under Phase II, MiTi will complete the system design integrating the fuel cooled and oil-free motor/generator and a state of the art turbojet engine modified to operate on foil bearings. Performance testing of the integrated machine will be completed to demonstrate achievement of the specific power and efficiency goals. MiTi® will also conduct a proof testing with a mesoscopic sized turbogenerator simulator to demonstrate scalability of the technology.