Qualtech Systems

In Space is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Design Tools for Combustion Stability. The abstract given for this project is as follows: The combination of complex physics and extremely severe combustor environments presents a formidable challenge to engineers who must ensure that high-pressure, high- performance rocket engines are stable from combustion instabilities. We propose here an improved methodology for predicting the combustion stability of oxidizer-rich staged- combustion engines. The methodology integrates high-fidelity CFD, state-of-the-art engineering analysis, and subscale experiment and test. Our emphasis in this proposal is on velocity-coupling, specifically on the unsteady mixing of asymmetric injector elements due to an oscillating velocity field. The desired outcomes of the Phase I are feasibility demonstrations of modeling the physics unsteady mixing due to an oscillating velocity field, derivation of a combustion response function that captures the modeled physics, and a test chamber that can be used to obtain validation data and insight into the problem. A set of detailed requirements for a potential Phase II effort will also be defined. BENEFITS:The anticipated benefits of the proposed research include gaining significant physical insight into the dynamic interactions between acoustic waves and the injector flow field, methods for reducing high fidelity simulations into simpler combustion response functions, a mechanistic basis for the velocity-coupling correlation for predicting stability, and methods for generating transverse waves in high pressure environments so that the flow field response can be measured. These benefits will be of considerable use to the development of a hydrocarbon boost engine. As such, the potential commercial applications include enhancing the IN Space-Purdue Generalized Instability Model (GIM) engineering design tool to include additional physics-based modeling and broaden the design space the GIM tool can support. In Space is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Vapor Containment and Fire Suppression System for Hypergolic Propellants. The abstract given for this project is as follows: Hydrazine-based fuels and nitrogen tetroxide-based oxidizers have been the propellants of choice for many propulsion systems over the last several decades due to the propellant combination's high specific impulse, storability, rapid hypergolic ignition, and moderate densities. Unfortunately, these propellants are highly toxic and pose a significant risk of fire in the event of a spill. These health and safety concerns result in considerable costs associated with their use and severely limit with their use in some applications. IN Space and its partners, ANSUL, Inc. and Purdue University, have formulated a solution that, if successful, will enable the safe storage, transportation, handling and fielding of nitrogen tetroxide-based and hydrazine-based propulsion systems. The proposed Vapor Containment and Fire Suppression system will utilize advanced sensing techniques to detect a propellant leak and then trigger the injection of a persistent, rapidly expanding foam to extinguish fires and contain the propellant vapor to within levels acceptable to the relevant DoD and DoT standards. The envisioned system allows for relatively simple retrofitting of existing and emerging propulsion systems already designed for the hypergolic propellants of interest. Further, the system can be created to offer the reliability, robustness, portability, and safety required to protect personnel and equipment from toxic propellant vapors and fire. In Space is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Variable Thrust, Multiple Start Hybrid Motor Solutions for Missile and Space Applications. The abstract given for this project is as follows: Energy management in missile systems can provide substantial performance advantages, especially for modern missiles capable of all-aspect engagements. Maximum flexibility is offered by a system that can be throttled, shut off entirely and restarted when needed. The proposed project aims to achieve efficient combustion during throttling and restart capability without the need for a separate ignition system that adds to a vehicle's mass and complexity. The innovative approach outlined in this proposal will utilize the catalytic decomposition of an oxidizer to enable flexible hybrid propulsion systems while also addressing both the low regression rate and slivering issues in hybrid rocket motors for missile or space launch applications. The Phase I effort will focus on generating conceptual designs of identified missile and upper stage propulsion systems, developing and assessing the performance and ignition characteristics of catalytic fuel grains for the oxidizers of interest, and experimentally investigating throttling capabilities and the fundamental control laws to achieve the desired thrust control. This research and development effort will be assist by the research and rocket testing facilities at Purdue University and the internal ballistics and combustion expertise at General Kinetics.

Mitek Analytics is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Information Decision Software Tools for Turbine Propulsion PHM Systems. The abstract given for this project is as follows: The project will develop software tools to enable optimal estimation of engine fault state in embedded avionics system. The tools will address vulnerabilities of existing PHM systems and allow achieving low (the smallest theoretically possible) false alarm rates while simplifying system engineering and sustainment. The fault states will be estimated/detected from the residuals and BIT data using empirical and/or physical fault models. Existing PHM approaches combine several heuristics for characterization of engine health deterioration and design of engine fault alarms. This project will rely on recent breakthroughs in estimation and optimization that allow integrating all data (discrete and parametric) and all fault states (discrete and continuous) in one optimal solution. The tuning parameters of the solution would include sensor noise covariances, BIT/BITE mis- detection probabilities, fault probabilities, fault interdependencies, and model confidence. First, we will develop off-line tools for model-based system analysis and design. Second, we will develop embedded software functions for computationally efficient on-line implementation of the approach. The embedded computational functions could be employed similar to other packaged mathematical software, such as matrix arithmetics. Phase I will demonstrate viability and performance of the approach to design and analysis of PHM for an F-110 engine vane actuator subsystem. Mitek Analytics is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Information Decision Software Tools for Turbine Propulsion PHM Systems. The abstract given for this project is as follows: The project will develop software tools to enable optimal estimation of engine fault state in embedded avionics system. The tools will address vulnerabilities of existing PHM systems and allow achieving low (the smallest theoretically possible) false alarm rates while simplifying system engineering and sustainment. The fault states will be estimated/detected from the residuals and BIT data using empirical and/or physical fault models. Existing PHM approaches combine several heuristics for characterization of engine health deterioration and design of engine fault alarms. This project will rely on recent breakthroughs in estimation and optimization that allow integrating all data (discrete and parametric) and all fault states (discrete and continuous) in one optimal solution. The tuning parameters of the solution would include sensor noise covariances, BIT/BITE mis-detection probabilities, fault probabilities, fault interdependencies, and model confidence. First, we will develop off-line tools for model-based system analysis and design. Second, we will develop embedded software functions for computationally efficient on-line implementation of the approach. The embedded computational functions could be employed similar to other packaged mathematical software, such as matrix arithmetics. Phase I will demonstrate viability and performance of the approach to design and analysis of PHM for an F-110 engine vane actuator subsystem.

Plasma Controls is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Bismuth Hall Thruster Contamination Characterization and Mitigation. The abstract given for this project is as follows: Hall thrusters operated with bismuth propellant provide performance and cost advantages over devices operated with xenon propellant. However, bismuth propellant also has the potential to transport onto, and contaminate, spacecraft surfaces. Before the promise of bismuth thrusters can be exploited, the threat of contamination must be (1) quantified by Air Force (AF) modelers and (2) found to be mitigate-able. Before starting, the modelers require data on bismuth neutral and ion properties like condensation probability, sputter yield, charge exchange cross section, etc., as a function of energy, angle of incidence, surface material, etc. Other necessary data include the effects of bismuth film thickness on the optical properties (i.e., solar absorptivity and hemispherical emissivity) of cover glass, radiators, and Kapton blankets for example. Plasma Controls, LLC proposes to meet these AF needs through the development of robust plasma diagnostic tools that can operate in plasmas containing condensable conductive constituents. Our approach is to use an existing bismuth ion source along with existing vacuum chamber test facilities, sputter deposition tools, thin-film characterization instruments, and related support equipment of our collaborator, Colorado State University, to develop and test the proposed Plasma Controls diagnostic equipment and obtain preliminary bismuth data required by the Air Force. Plasma Controls is a company that received a Department of Defense SBIR/STTR grant for a project entitled: Bismuth Hall Thruster Contamination Characterization and Mitigation. The abstract given for this project is as follows: Hall thrusters operated with bismuth propellant provide performance and cost advantages over devices operated with xenon propellant. However, bismuth propellant also has the potential to transport onto, and contaminate, spacecraft surfaces. Before the promise of bismuth thrusters can be exploited, the threat of contamination must be (1) quantified by Air Force (AF) modelers and (2) found to be mitigate-able. Before starting, the modelers require data on bismuth neutral and ion properties like condensation probability, sputter yield, charge exchange cross section, etc., as a function of energy, angle of incidence, surface material, etc. Other necessary data include the effects of bismuth film thickness on the optical properties (i.e., solar absorptivity and hemispherical emissivity) of cover glass, radiators, and Kapton blankets for example. Plasma Controls, LLC proposes to meet these AF needs through the development of robust plasma diagnostic tools that can operate in plasmas containing condensable conductive constituents. Our approach is to use an existing bismuth ion source along with existing vacuum chamber test facilities, sputter deposition tools, thin-film characterization instruments, and related support equipment of our collaborator, Colorado State University, to develop and test the proposed Plasma Controls diagnostic equipment and obtain preliminary bismuth data required by the Air Force.

ACENT Laboratories, also known as Calspan Advanced Solutions, is a technology development company operating in the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. The company offers a range of testing and technology development services, including crash, sled, tire, and barrier testing for vehicles, ground and airborne testing for aerospace applications, and jet engine test solutions. It also focuses on the development of technologies for high-speed flight, hydrogen storage and utilization, and carbon capture. It is based in Manorville, New York.

Aviation Systems Engineering is an engineering services firm specializing in aviation system development, analysis and test, with focus on the United States Department of Defense (DoD) as a customer.

Treble One Aerospace Consulting (Treble One) provides consulting services to companies to help them develop businesses with the USAF and aerospace market. Treble One help grows business by applying technology to solve meaningful USAF problems. The company provides services such as business development for the industries, SBIR program support for the government, and supporting SBIR programs to both USAF and the industry. It was founded in 2000 and is based in Dayton, Ohio