A miniature powerplant for very small, very long range autonomous aircraft. Final report
- The Insitu Group, Inc.
The authors have developed a new piston engine offering unprecedented efficiency for a new generation of miniature robotic aircraft. Following Phase 1 preliminary design in 1996--97, they have gone forward in Phase 2 to complete detail design, and are nearing completion of a first batch of ten engines. A small-engine dynamometer facility has been built in preparation for the test program. Provisions have been included for supercharging, which will allow operation at ceilings in the 10,000 m range. Component tests and detailed analysis indicate that the engine will achieve brake-specific fuel consumption well below 300 gm/kWh at power levels of several hundred watts. This level of performance opens the door to development of tabletop-sized aircraft having transpacific range and multi-day endurance, which will offer extraordinary new capabilities for meteorology, geomagnetic, and a variety of applications in environmental monitoring and military operations.
- Research Organization:
- The Insitu Group Inc., Bingen, WA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Energy Research (ER) (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG03-96ER82187
- OSTI ID:
- 755967
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Development of metalloceramic friction materials for aircraft brake
Control system for supercharged internal combustion engine