r&d - mems based
fuel injection system

Designed for Heavy Fuel Engines
Multifuel ability (JP5, JP8, Bio-Fuels)

The NWUAV MEMS Fuel Injection System promises to enhance the capabilities of UAVs by increasing fuel efficiencies and by allowing multifuels to be used on the same engine platform. This will help the U.S. Department of Defense implement its single-fuel-concept policy.

The NWUAV MEMS Fuel Injection System will allow longer duration flight times and reduced (green house gas) emissions as a result of the ability to digitally control the fuel delivery and droplet size to a level much smaller than is conventionally possible using carburetors and COTS (Commercial Off The Shelf) fuel injectors.

The NWUAV MEMS Fuel Injection System uses Hewlett Packard Ink Jet technology to atomize a variety of fuels including JP5, JP8 and logistical fuels used in internal combustion engines.

Northwest UAV has purchased five patents related to MEMS Fuel Injection and is developing an injector array that can be utilized on a variety of engine types.

MEMS Fuel Injection System Benefits:

  • Improved efficiencies through smaller droplets
  • Improved efficiencies through less power required to generate small droplets
  • Improved efficiencies through closed loop control of fuel delivery in a variety of environments and altitudes
  • Improved efficiencies through lightweight designs which eliminate fuel pumps and pressure regulators
  • Improved efficiencies through the elimination of glow plugs and preheaters for heavy fuels

MEMS Fuel Injection System Specifications*:

  • Less than 10W power overhead
  • Approximately 3-15+ cc/minute flow rate possible
  • Capable of ejecting more than 3 million droplets per second
  • Technology is scalable to higher flow rates
  • Full electronic digital metering by controlling discrete droplets
  • Capable of full integration of pumping and metering function

*Preliminary specifications (subject to change)