Advanced Tactical 2 KW Stirling Power Sources for Co-Generation Applications

The Army Communications and Electronics Command (CECOM) is seeking smaller and lighter apparatus to meet the electric power and heating/cooling needs of vehicle mounted shelters. To reduce present system weight CECOM is exploring the feasibility of an external combustion Stirling engine powered generator to provide mission electrical power and capturing combustor and engine reject heat for shelter heating and thermally activated cooling. The goals of solicitation A05-072 are closely aligned with the capabilities of a TIAX Free Piston Stirling Engine power plant with integral linear alternators, power converter and digital control system-the TIAX "Micro-Power" system. The Micro-Power system is a quiet, robust, multi-fuel-capable engine-generator. Micro-Power prototypes support on-going product development activities at TIAX one of which is CECOM-sponsored investigation of JP-8 fired combustor technology to be tested with a 600 W Micro-Power system. The proposed Phase I program will scale the 600 W engine-generator and developmental JP-8 combustor to 2,000 W and will investigate means to capture and transport combustor and engine reject heat to drive TOC heating and thermally activated cooling apparatus. A proof-of-concept 2,000 W generator set incorporating reject heat capture capabilities developed in Phase I will be designed, fabricated and tested in a Phase II program.