DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF AN ULTRA LOW COST TURBOPROP FOR RPV/UAV APPLICATIONS

M-DOT, INC. ("M-DOT") PROPOSES TO DESIGN, FABRICATE AND TEST A PROPELLER DRIVE GEARBOX, TURBINE AND GOVERNOR SYSTEM FOR ATTACHMENT TO A LOW COST EXPENDABLE TURBOJET ENGINE. THE SYSTEM WILL BE DESIGNED FOR APPLICATION ON THE SUNSTRAND TJ-90 ENGINE AND WILL UTILIZE EXISTING AND PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES. THE SYSTEM WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. DRIVE TURBINE, NOZZLE AND NOZZLE INLET DUCT CONFIGURED TO BE ATTACHED DIRECTLY TO THE TURBINE EXIT DUCT OF A SUNSTRAND TJ-90 TURBOJET ENGINE. 2. GEARBOX WITH OIL MIST LUBRICATION AND SPEED SENSOR. 3. BIFURCATED EXHAUST DUCT WITH HEAT SHIELD. 4. ELECTRONIC SPEED GOVERNING SYSTEM. 5. FIXED PITCH PROPELLER THE PHASE I PROGRAM WOULD ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING: 1. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A REDUCTION GEARBOX WITH LUBRICATION SYSTEM AND SPEED SENSOR. 2. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN AXIAL FLOW DRIVE TURBINE AND ASSOCIATED DUCTING. 3. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF AN ELECTRONIC FUEL CONTROL. 4. SPECIFICATION AND PROCUREMENT OF A FIXED PITCH PROPELLER. 5. PERFORMANCE TESTING OF THE ABOVE SYSTEMS ON A SUNSTRAND TJ-90 OR TURBOCHARGER BASED GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT. ANTICIPATED BENEFITS: A SMALL LOW COST TURBOPROP ENGINE WOULD PROVIDE INCREASED PERFORMANCE FOR UAV/RPVS PRESENTLY POWERED BY PISTON ENGINES. ADDITIONALLY, SAFETY OF OPERATION AND OPERATIONAL COMMONALITY WOULD BE IMPROVED DUE TO USE OF JET FUEL INSTEAD OF GASOLINE.