Featured Product:

Modular Refrigeration Unit


UAV engine Components

Components for Small Heavy-Fuel Engines

Small, unmanned aerial vehicles (e.g., the 40-lb, 10-ft wingspan ScanEagle) are powered by small, two-stroke gasoline engines. However, the DOD is trying to eliminate gasoline from its supply chain and standardize all equipment on logistics fuel (JP-8). Currently, no commercial compression-ignition (i.e., diesel-cycle) engines are available with outputs below about 4 hp (3 kW). In fact, because of the unique challenges of fuel delivery in small diesel engines, even nozzles and fuel injectors are not available at this small size. Similarly, because of the low combustion airflow requirements, conventional centrifugal turbochargers are not efficient for these engines. In response, Mainstream is developing components for these small, logistics-fueled engines that will extend the power range downward. Specifically, we are developing innovative fuel-atomizing nozzles, electronic fuel injection systems, and forced induction systems for this application.