Raytheon orders multiple external combustion engines from Cyclone Power Technologies
26 April 2011
Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS), a business of Raytheon Company, has placed an initial purchase order for multiple engines from Cyclone, developer of the Cyclone external combustion engine. (Earlier post.) This contract is valued at approximately $400,000. The work will be performed at Cyclone’s facility in Florida.
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| Mark V 100 hp engine. Click to enlarge. |
These initial purchased engines, named the MantaRay, are based on the company’s Mark V engine and patented technology. (Earlier post.) The MantaRay represents one of several engine models and projects on which Cyclone and Raytheon are collaborating. One area of collaboration is engines for “undersea power and propulsion” with Raytheon; customers include the DoD.
Among the joint projects was the development of a prototype compact 10 hp (7.5 kW) external combustion engine for use in various power applications based on a Mark II engine, designed to run on both traditional fuels and a monopropellant called Moden Fuel, which can combust in the absence of oxygen. (Moden Fuel was originally developed by James R. Moden, Inc. to power US Navy torpedoes.) Testing in 2009 showed thermal efficiencies of more than 30%, results that exceeded original engineering calculations. (Earlier post.)
The Cyclone Engine is an all-fuel engine with the power and versatility to run everything from waste energy electric generators and solar thermal systems to cars, trucks and locomotives. Invented by company founder and CEO Harry Schoell, the patented Cyclone Engine achieves high thermal efficiencies through a compact heat-regenerative process, and runs on virtually any fuel—including bio-diesels, syngas or solar—while emitting fewer greenhouse gases and toxic pollutants into the air.
The Cyclone engines are currently in late stages of development.
After five years it's good to finally see them in an application.
By the way: what is "Moden Fuel"? I would have thought that any monopropellant is also unavoidably an explosive under all conditions.
Posted by: richard schumacher | 27 April 2011 at 06:41 AM
rs, q&d http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=4932
When burned, Moden Fuel I produces pure water and carbon dioxide. These by-products are non-toxic and safer than the ones associated with current fuel use.
Posted by: kelly | 27 April 2011 at 10:29 AM
fyi -http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4070490 .. Published: 4 May 2009 ..
"A 12-by-12-by-17-inch engine and generator would be used to keep electrical equipment in the vehicles going when the main engine is turned off. That would be a big gas saver for the Abrams, which has a 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine that burns 12 gallons of fuel an hour simply idling."
What's a 'no brainer' in the military?
Posted by: kelly | 27 April 2011 at 10:34 AM
To Richard Schumacher:
Many monopropellants are dangerous to handle and to use.
But you comment is too general.
MODEN Fuel is a monopropellant that was designed to be safe, energetic, low cost and environmentally benign.
It has passed the following difficult, Navy imposed, abuse tests.
1. Bonfire test in which 3 55 gallon drums of MODEN Fuel were subjected to a 30 minute long, raging bonfire. The MODEN Fuel was allowed to burn but not to detonate.
2. #8 blasting cap test in which the blasting cap was submerged in a 55 gallon drum of MODEN Fuel and remotely detonated. MODEN Fuel did not burn nor detonate.
3. 30 grams of Black Powder ignition test in which the black powder was sumerged in a 55 gallon drum of MODEN Fuel and remotely detonated. The 500 pound drum "bounced" nearly two feet off the deck from the shock of the black powder but the MODEN Fuel did not burn nor detonate.
4.Bullet penetration test in which capped sections of 2 inch diameter pipe, filled with MODEN Fuel were shot with .50 caliber, armor piercing rounds. MODEN Fuel did not burn nor detonate.
So MODEN Fuel is at least one exception to your opinion about monopropellants.
Posted by: Jamesmoden | 28 April 2011 at 05:28 PM