OsmoFlow - High Efficiency Electric Marine Propulsion System

The Navy is in need of a modern overhaul of its family of diesel-powered jet propulsion patrol boats. The current fleet is tasked with specific operational conditions which cause the current power systems to operate at inefficient conditions, leading to increased cost and downtime. To solve this problem, GreenSight proposes an efficient electrical power generation and deployment system named OsmoFlow. It is specifically sized to meet the average operational duty cycle requirements of the US Navy, and their associated 34 and 40 foot patrol boats. As part of this proposal, we plan to fully characterize the performance requirements ofĀ the vessel and develop an electrical power generation and deployment scheme to best fit their needs. Overall fuel energy conversion efficiency will be examined and account for generator operation, energy storage capability, energy deployment, and performance optimization. GreenSightÆs solution is centered around a set of core components including a modular axial flux motor pack, high-capacity lithium battery pack, heavy-fuel and diesel capable generator units, and integrated power electronics. In addition, the architecture proposed allows multiple benefits not initially sought by the solicitation. These include, clandestine operations modes for covert missions, low overall noise signature, lower cooling requirements, and modularity allowing for lower serviceability requirements. In order to better quantify these effects, a set of development tasks are proposed to further mature the design described. An axial flux motor concept will be developed and optimized around an 80kW modular pack, and designed to be stacked to fulfill a range of power requirements. Next, a battery system study will be done to determine adequate sizing relative to the vesselÆs size, power generation capacity, and anticipated duty cycle. A power generation study will be conducted to evaluate the design changes necessary to increase the capacity of our current heavy fuel generator design. And finally, plans will be developed for a Phase II demonstrator assembly.