Doubling UAV 2-Cycle Engine Operational Time between Overhauls by Using Advanced Materials to Eliminate Adding Oil to Fuel

The objective of the AFWERX SBIR Phase I three month proposal is three-fold.  Establish background and provide a summary of progress which has been made in extending the time between overhaul caused by carbonized cylinder kit deposits from nominal 35 hours to nominal 400 hours on two (2) Class 2 UAV engines.  The initial work was funded by the Insitu Division of Boeing Aircraft.  This progress was made by ring/piston design and material modifications which reduced the rate cylinder combustion products accumulation caused by the 2 cycle oil that must be added to the fuel.  Outline in this three month Phase I program to identify and evaluate alternative piston ring, piston skirt and cylinder bore coatings and treatments which will permit total elimination or need to add oil to fuel. This would permit the nominal time between overhaul caused by cylinder combustion pressure to be increased from 400 to 1,000 hours between overhauls. If this can be accomplished based on data accumulated in the initial program the time between overhaul of Class 2 UAV can be extended from nominal 400 hours to nominal 1,000 hours.