High Performance Glow Plug for Diesel Aviation Engines

Diesel internal combustion engines are an attractive option for small unmanned aerial vehicles because they are relatively efficient and can operate on conventional jet fuel. The cetane number of military jet fuel can vary significantly, and is often significantly lower than automotive diesel, which can lead to ignition issues for diesel aviation engines running JP-8. Glow plugs are commonly used to aid ignition in diesel engines, especially during cold start. Glow plugs could be used to enhance ignition and combustion of low-cetane fuels in diesel aviation engines, but existing glow plugs are intended to be used only during startup and cannot handle the temperatures that would be required for continuous use. An advanced glow plug technology for aviation diesel engines capable of operating continuously at high temperature and with fast response time will address this need. We propose to develop a drop-in replacement glow plug that utilizes advanced materials and a novel geometry that will meet the Army’s needs for a high-temperature, fast response glow plug that can be continuously operated in aviation diesel engines.