SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION

PROJECT SUMMARY

Contract Id:

NAS 4 50072

Proposal Number:

03.08-3800

Project Title:

ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT, LOW-DRAG HEAT EXCHANGER FOR HIGH-ALTITUDE AIRCRAFT

Technical Abstract:

We propose to develop an extremely compact and lightweight, low drag heat exchanger for engine cooling on high altitude aircraft. The heat exchanger uses an innovative flow configuration to make highly efficient use of heat transfer area and reduce air flow requirements. Frontal area is reduced by a factor of three compared to conventional heat exchangers. Because of the flow arrangement, low-density nonmetallic materials can be used to fabricate the heat exchanger, resulting in a factor of five reduction in weight compared to aluminum tube-fin radiators. In Phase I we show the feasibility of the innovative heat exchanger by (1) demonstrating the key fabrication processes required to construct the heat exchanger, and (2) designing a liquid-to-air heat exchanger to meet the specifications of a particular high-altitude aircraft. In Phase II, we will build and test full-scale prototype heat exchangers on the ground and in aircraft.

Potential Commercial Applications:

The heat exchanger is lightweight, compact, and extremely resistant to corrosion. The heat exchanger is ideal for small unmanned aircraft, including drones for military and civilian surveillance applications. The heat exchanger is also ideal for heat rejection from oil and engine coolant in general aviation aircraft. The compact, lightweight radiator will also be applied to vehicular applications, such as radiators for engines in automobiles, trucks, and marine vessels. The heat exchanger can also be used for electronics enclosures and heat rejection for air conditioning systems.

Name and Address of Offeror:

Creare Incorporated
P.O. Box 71, Etna Road
Hanover, NH 03755