A Novel Diesel-Fueled Engine for Microclimate Cooling for the Individual Soldier
Abstract
Military mission performance in a chemically contaminated environment necessitates the wearing of chemically impermeable protective garments. Soldiers encapsulated in these protective garments in a hot environment will succumb to heat stress. Consequently a microclimate cooling system is being developed. In the present design, a vapor compression cycle chills water which is then circulated over the body to absorb heat via a cooling garment. One of the major components of the vapor compression cycle system is the prime mover, i.e. the engine. For battlefield use, the engine shall utilize battlefield fuel, JP-8. Commercially available engines of the required size, approximately 0.5 hp at 4000 rpm, such as model aircraft engines and small outdoor power equipment (string trimers) engines do not start and run on JP-8. This effort established the technical feasibility of starting and operating a small, lightweight engine on diesel fuel and JP-8. A commercially available 1.09 cubic inch displacement was used; however, the stock head was replaced with a custom designed head employing a fuel injector and pre-chamber. The engine started by hand cranking from ambient temperature (70 deg F) and ran without aids. 0.42 brake hp was developed at 3700 rpm. Brake specific fuel consumption was 0.76 lb/bbp-hr. microclimate cooling, diesel engines, individual soldier, protective clothing, diesel fuels , chemical contamination, heat stress(physiology), hot environment, chemical protection.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1992
- Accession Number
- ADA254510
Entities
People
- R. J. Raymond
- T. K. Chen
- W. K. Lam