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Novel Initiators for Pulse Detonation Engines

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Navy
Contract: N00014-07-M-0419
Agency Tracking Number: N074-033-0010
Amount: $69,999.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: STTR
Solicitation Topic Code: N07-T033
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2007
Award Year: 2007
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2007-06-28
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2008-04-28
Small Business Information
1900 Bates Ave. Suite G
Concord, CA 94520
United States
DUNS: 149397015
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Mike McFarland
 Principal Scientist
 (925) 798-5770
 mcfarland@acreetech.com
Business Contact
 Ann Mulville
Title: Contracts Monitor
Phone: (925) 798-5770
Email: mulville@acreetech.com
Research Institution
 UNIV. OF TEXAS, ARLINGTON
 Frank Lu
 
BOX 19018 500 W. FIRST ST. 211 WOOLF HALL
Arlington, TX 76091
United States

 (817) 272-2603
 Nonprofit College or University
Abstract

In this project a novel plasma source known as a CAPS will be used to produce high-density plasma for rapid and reliable detonation initiation for Pulse Detonation Engines (PDE). The CAPS will be run at 100's of Hz and deliver 1-2 J of energy per pulse. CAPS plasma sources produce dense, hypersonic plasma with electron energies of 7-20 eV, sufficient to disassociate atoms and create radicals that can initiate and accelerate the combustion process. The advantage of this approach is that there are no moving parts, so it is very reliable and robust. It is capable of being energized in a matter of microseconds compared to at least milliseconds for mechanical systems. Other plasma devices require kilovolts to operate. The CAPS only uses 100-600 V to ignite and operates at 20 V bias, which reduces noise and the danger of breakdown outside the combustion chamber.

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

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