You are here

Microchannel Heat Exchangers for Aircraft Thermal Management

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N68335-06-C-0050
Agency Tracking Number: N052-087-0121
Amount: $149,876.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N05-087
Solicitation Number: 2005.2
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-10-31
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2006-04-30
Small Business Information
P.O. Box 71
Hanover, NH 03755
United States
DUNS: 072021041
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 MICHAEL IZENSON
 Principal Engineer
 (603) 643-3800
 mgi@creare.com
Business Contact
 Gordon Willett
Title: Business Administration Manager
Phone: (603) 643-3800
Email: contractsmgr@creare.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Thermal loads from electronics and advanced weapons systems have increased the cooling required from environmental control systems (ECS) in state of the art fighter aircraft. Future aircraft will require advanced heat exchanger technology to minimize the size and weight of the ECS. Microchannels offer improved heat transfer/pressure drop characteristics compared to plate fin heat exchangers, but the expense of manufacturing microchannel heat exchangers is prohibitive. We propose a microchannel heat exchanger that uses low cost manufacturing methods. In Phase I we will develop generalized design methods for microchannel heat exchangers, use these methods to assess the heat exchangers in the F 35 Joint Strike Fighter ECS, and identify the heat exchangers that will benefit most from our microchannel technology. We will design a full size prototype heat exchanger core using the microchannel approach and estimate its performance and production costs. Finally, we will prove the feasibility of our approach by fabricating and testing a proof of concept, microchannel heat exchanger using prototypical, low cost fabrication methods. In Phase II we will design, build, and test a full size prototype heat exchanger under conditions that simulate operation in the F 35 ECS.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government