Starter/Generator Efficiency Enhancement for High Performance Tactical Aircraft

Advanced military weapon system platforms place a premium on subsystem weight, space and reliability, while demanding increased power density for ever increasing electrical loads ranging from avionics to advanced high energy weapons. In each of these systems the efficiency of the starter/generator is crucial and designs that will minimize electrical and/or mechanical losses are needed. The overall objective of this proposed SBIR program is to demonstrate the feasibility of minimizing the system mechanical losses such as windage and friction through novel design and integration approaches. Under Phase I, parametric design studies will be conducted, preliminary tests with existing MiTi high speed motor generators will be conducted and a preliminary design of a Phase II test facility will be completed. MiTi® will also assess the impact of proposed modifications to enhance power density and total system weight. Under Phase II, detailed design modifications to an existing MiTi starter/generator will be completed, the hardware be fabricated and tested under full speed and load to demonstrate the efficiency improvements possible by reducing the windage and friction losses. To ensure applicability of the results to the widest range of DOD systems, scaling tests will be conducted.