Quiet, High Efficiency Engine Performance with a Passive, Smart Exhaust System

"Next-generation wheeled and tracked ground vehicles are critical to Army operations. Foster-Miller proposes to increase engine performance, decrease fuel usage, and increase stealth of these vehicles through the development of a smart, baffleless exhaustsystem. The Foster-Miller Smart Exhaust System (SES) would be manufactured to net shape with smart fibers integrated with conductors, structural fibers, and circuitry. There would be minimal flow loss mechanisms. Phase II SES development would focus onan existing 8x8 advanced technology demonstrator (ATD) being developed by a major manufacturer for the U.S. Army TACOM NAC. The goal of the program is to design, build and test a prototype system that would be integrated into the ATD and field tested.Commercial development would be addressed through the addition of a major exhaust system manufacturer to the Phase II team. The proposed system would allow greater engine performance, lower fuel usage, and greater exhaust durability for both the U.S. Armyand also the commercial sector. This dual-use technology could be applied to numerous other applications, including vibration suppression and structural control in land vehicles, aircraft and ships. Successful development would advance the state of theart in smart structural forming and generic smart structures technology. (P-01591)"