Piezoelectric Single Crystal for Improved Fuel Injector Application

Weidlinger Associates Inc (WAI) will develop a new generation of fuel injectors incorporating single crystal piezoelectric actuators for use in Pulse Detonation Engines (PDE). PDEs offer the potential of fuel efficient high thrust engines for Naval use, yet have specific roadblocks to development such as precise delivery of fuel, in location, droplet size, and quantity. These new fuel injectors would meet all the needs of the PDEs, allowing for effective continued development of the technology, along with further fuel savings in addition to the economy offered by the PDE technology itself. Phase I efforts that WAI performed demonstrated that piezoelectric single crystal can meet the needs of the future fuel injector actuators, displaying greater force output and over twice the stroke of conventional piezoceramic actuators, with faster response times and is an ideal active material for PDE fuel injector actuators. WAI will design, develop and test these new injectors in co-operation with the Department of Mechanical and Astronautical Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. This technology, once demonstrated in PDEs, can be adapted for use in other Naval, military, and civilian engines.