Implementation of Advanced Power Concepts into Unmanned Vehicle Propulsion Systems

The Air Force Research Laboratory is investigating methods to extract more electrical power from turbine engines. One method being investigated is the extraction of electrical power from the low spool. The net objective of this effort is to design, build, and test a low spool turbine engine generator using permanent magnet, brushless technology, integrated into the periphery of the intake fan of a turbofan Engine. The proposed effort is a continuation of Contract FA8650-15-C-2539 with the goal of having a Fan-Tip-Generator (FTG) integrated to the Spytek Fl304-SA325 engine for ground testing and electrical power extraction. The target goal is to demonstrate 50 kW of power extraction using a FTG heavily integrated with a Spytek Aerospace FI304 engine. The FI304 engine in base form is a 600 lbt + 300HP dual inter-turbine burner turbofan. For this effort however, the base engine architecture will be modified by deactivating both ITBs, so all testing of the FTG on engine would be in a strict dual spool turbo-fan configuration, designated F304. The fan of the F304 engine will be extensively redesigned at the rotor blisk tip to accommodate the fan tip generator.