Low Signature High Specific Impulse Hydro Propulsion

A proposal is presented for the conceptual design, component identification, and material selection needed to fabricate, test and validate the performance of an integrated heavy-fuel engine and high pressure pump for use in small watercraft propulsion. The basis of the innovation centers on the application of recent developments in rotary-piston engines and pumps. The latest advances in bi-axial crank rotary-piston technology can potentially deliver heavy-fuel power-to-weight ratios exceeding 1:1 as an engine, and produce combined high-pressure and high-flow rates with maximum mechanical efficiency as a positive displacement pump. Incorporating the high speed rotary-piston drive unit with the latest developments in rotary-piston fluid pumping technology will allow government platforms to replace gasoline powered turbo-pumps with safer, quieter, greater acceleration and and higher speed units without sacrificing weight or specific fuel consumption performance. Numerous commercial applications will also benefit from development of an ultralite heavy-fuel self-powered hydrojet, including marine, aviation, petro-chem, construction and recreation. The proposed phase I research effort will perform preliminary design and provide proof of concept through the development of a test-stand prototype to evaluate engine/pump performance.