Progress Toward a Microfabricated Gas Turbine Generator for Soldier Portable Power Applications
Abstract
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) turbocharger and electric generator devices have been fabricated and tested as part of a program at MIT to develop a microfabricated gas turbine generator for portable power applications. The overall efficiency of this device, relative to its conventional-scale brethren, is limited by small-scale physics and microfabrication constraints. However, even at modest efficiency levels, the performance of a microscale engine is considerably better than batteries, offering the potential for about seven times the energy density of today's best batteries when operating with a conversion efficiency of 10% and using a liquid hydrocarbon fuel such as JP8. Using a MEMS-based batch fabrication process offers the potential for low costs. The small device scale allows for high levels of power density. For the soldier, this device would serve as a battery replacement, providing 10-20 watts of power. As the gas turbine generator is a complex system, its development has included several intermediate devices. This paper presents results from the initial demonstration of several of these intermediate MEMS devices, including a turbocharger, an electric induction generator, a magnetic induction motor, and a permanent magnet generator.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA433336
Entities
People
- A. H. Epstein
- C. J. Teo
- Carol Livermore
- D. P. Arnold
- H. Q. Li
- I. Zana
- J-w. Park
- J. L. Steyn
- Joshua M. Lang
- Mark G. Allen
- Michelle Schmidt
- N. Savoulides
- S. A. Jacobson
- S. D. Umans
- S. Das
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology