Integrated Power Generation for Small Unmanned Vehicles

The purpose of this program is to reduce the size, weight, and improve efficiency and reliability of the power generation system for UAV’s. The approach taken will not only accomplish this goal, but provide on board starting with virtually no weight or cost penalty (for systems with onboard starting there will be a tremendous size and weight reduction). There are four key components of this approach which will be analyzed. High pole count, high energy permanent magnet brushless technology will be used to provide a single integrated device for the purpose of starting small internal combustion engines in the 30 lbs thrust class and power generation. Advances in power electronic technologies, allows for the miniaturization of the conversion device to provide power for driving the starter and regulating the generator voltage. Direct to shaft mounting eliminates the need for any intermediate mechanical devices (e.g. gears, belts, couplings and clutches). Minimizing the size of the starter motor will be accomplished by reducing peak torque requirements of the internal combustion engine. We will analyze the effect of compression release and system inertia. These technology developments will focus on the rotary engine application, and can be expanded to include reciprocating and nutating machines.