DARPA test demonstrates performance potential of Innodyn fuel control system

While data is still being reviewed in efforts to fully understand the outcome and implications of the DARPA-sponsored test of the Innodyn fuel control system conducted at the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Paxtuxent River, MD in January, it is clear from the actual test and available data that the following results were achieved:

• The Innodyn fuel control system, adapted to a thirty-year old turbine, performed without a flaw.
• At identical power settings for both the original and Innodyn modified engines, the Innodyn controlled test runs resulted in slightly higher exhaust gas temperatures and corresponding effective power. Due to limitations of the hardware used for the test, no attempts were made to maximize the efficiency of the Innodyn combustion chamber.
• Within the parameters of the test, the observed spread of exhaust gas temperatures and power between original and Innodyn-modified settings increased as power output settings grew; i.e. the higher the power, the better the observed performance from the Innodyn fuel control system. Again, we were unable to approach the higher typical operating power of the Innodyn turbine due to equipment limitations.
• While minimal, there appears to be a modest fuel efficiency increase, again on a logarithmic scale as power demand increased.

While it was our desire that this initial test might reveal some translation to Innodyn fuel consumption and power ratings, we have found that to be impossible. The primary reasons for this inability lie in the fact that (1) the test article used was a thirty year old turbine driving a generator set to measure load, (2) the test set was designed to operate at a much lower power setting than Innodyn turbines; approximately 110 HP max as opposed to our 165 to 255 SHP projected power ratings, and (3) the test was not conducted on a complete Innodyn production engine in a flight environment. The actual test hardware used in fact originally designed to operate at lower (less efficient) temperatures for flight line safety concerns.

As stated earlier, we are discussing plans for further independent verification of our production turbine at the earliest possible time. We are hopeful that such tests can be performed again at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Paxtuxent River, MD or elsewhere. Announcements will be posted as soon as possible on the schedule of such test activity. In all, this initial test provided positive results in several areas while demonstrating the need for further detailed testing in others.

In the meantime, Innodyn is reviewing internal data collected in our test cell and from actual flight time and will post our results in general terms in the near future. The combined NAVAIR and internal Innodyn data will provide interested parties with appropriate updated information to further evaluate the Innodyn turbine as we continue our verification program.

(posted: 02/15/05)