Advanced Solid Ramjet Fuel Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2014.1 Topic No.: N141-011 Topic Title: Advanced Solid Ramjet Fuel Proposal No.: N141-011-0365 Firm: Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories LLC 2212 Harton Blvd Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388-5583 Contact: Eric Jacob Phone: (931) 455-7330 Web Site: www.gtlcompany.com Abstract: The potential for solid fuel ramjets (SFRJ) has been demonstrated over the last 40 years. SRFJ's have significantly higher impulse than rockets (Isp > 1200 sec) making them a competitive solution for long range applications such as missiles, missile interceptors, high speed transport and space vehicle stages. Increasing the regression rate and the energy density of the fuel further improves the advantages of a ramjet by allowing for increased thrust and Isp. In order to increase the solid fuel regression rate as well as increase propellant energy density in SFRJ's GTL proposes the construction of a 3D printed hybrid fuel grain. This method uses additive manufacturing processes to build a complex fuel grains with advanced features which increase regression rate and energy density. In addition, metal and inert oxidizer concentrations can be included with in the 3D print allowing for spatially varying properties. Finally, nearly all propulsions systems experience combustion instability in development. GTL's unique capabilities will be leveraged to improve the stability characteristics of the hybrid fuel grain. Benefits: The 3D printed hybrid fuel grain allows for increased regression rates, energy density, variable properties and complex geometries. Increasing the energy density and regression rate of the propellant allows for increased thrust and Isp. Improving these properties make solid fuel ramjets an even more attractive option for long rang applications such as missile interceptors and high speed transport. In addition, GTL has unique capabilities in combustion instability modeling. These capabilities include unsteady CFD analysis, unsteady flow solvers, and experimental data analysis. These tools can be applied to the new hybrid fuel grain allowing for improved stability characteristics. The hybrid fuel grain and instability analysis benefit many industries. Instabilities affect nearly all propulsion systems, improving the ability to model and therefore predict and design around instabilities would dramatically improve the nation's ability to develop new propulsion systems. Improve fuel grains assist the solid fuel ramjet and hybrid rocket engine community. Return