{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":9566,"title":"Lightweight High Efficiency Electric Motors and Actuators for Low Temperature Mobility and Robotics Applications","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10872,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10870,"level":3,"code":"TX12.3.2","title":"Electro-Mechanical, Mechanical, and Micromechanisms","definition":"This area covers the development and testing of tools and interfaces for electro-mechanical, mechanical, and micromechanisms.","exampleTechnologies":"Robotic tools and interfaces that will allow robotic assembly, manipulation, and servicing of aerospace vehicles and components as well as interfaces; fluid transfer and refueling; provisions for operation in harsh environment.","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":5,"endTrl":5,"benefits":"QM Power is evaluating the commercialization of this technology in ambient temperature conditions for commercial refrigeration, wind and hydro renewable power generation, industrial motors, aerospace and military applications, power tools, electric or hybrid electric vehicles, non-renewable power generation, HVAC, linear actuators/pumps/clamps and a variety of other stand-alone applications.
PMC motor and actuators could be an enabling solution in virtually any space application where an electro-mechanical function is required. These could include but not be limited to propulsion and power, vehicle systems program, revolutionary aeropropulsion concepts, alternate energy foundation technologies, subsonic propulsion, lunar landers and rovers, servo positioning robotic actuators, thrust vector control actuators, fuel valve control actuators, solar array deployment, control moment gyroscopes, gimbal positioning, optic drives, open loop micropositioning, timer switching, space telescopes, cryogenic storage and transport and many others.","description":"QM Power will build and empirically test Space and Cryogenic qualified preproduction Parallel Magnetic Circuit [PMC] 1-5 HP motor/actuators with electronic controllers. These preproduction prototypes will demonstrate lower operating power requirements for cryogenic motor/actuator components used in Space applications. PMC is an enabling technology having a broader peak power and high efficiency range than incumbent solutions for prime mover and dynamic suspensions used in space rovers and actuation in robotic systems. The PMC motors/actuators and electronic controllers to be built and empirically tested are those identified through the extensive modeling and analysis performed during the execution of QM Power's NASA Phase I contract NNX10CD85P demonstrating power densities greater than 0.050KW/lb with efficiencies greater than 90%. These PMC motor/actuator prototypes will undergo extensive testing in cryogenic and vacuum environments measuring performance, structural integrity, space radiation tolerance, and low out gassing. The prototypes will be optimized for manufacturing production under a Phase III effort for commercialization.","startYear":2011,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2014,"endMonth":6,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":69081,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Charles","lastName":"Flynn","fullName":"Charles J Flynn","fullNameInverted":"Flynn, Charles J","middleInitial":"J","primaryEmail":"jflynn@qmpower.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":69078,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Charles","lastName":"Flynn","fullName":"Charles R Flynn","fullNameInverted":"Flynn, Charles R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"charles.r.flynn@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":474070,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Tony","lastName":"Tyler","fullName":"Tony R Tyler","fullNameInverted":"Tyler, Tony R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"tony.r.tyler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[],"transitions":[{"transitionId":66485,"projectId":9566,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2011-06-01","path":"Advanced From","relatedProjectId":8492,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":8492,"title":"Lightweight High Efficiency Electric Motors and Actuators for Low Temperature Mobility and Robotics Applications","startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"High energy prices and usage have accelerated the growing global demand for energy efficient products and low cost energy generation. QM Power has begun working with strategic industry leaders to demonstrate the improved efficiency and performance of PMC enabled motors, generators and actuators for power tools (Black & Decker), electric or hybrid electric vehicles (Ferrari), wind and hydro power generation (NREL), linear actuators/pumps/clamps (NSF), industrial motors (BC Hydro), military (US Army Medical) applications and a variety of other stand-alone applications. According to Frost and Sullivan reports, the global market opportunity is around $70 billion per year.
Due to the improved efficiency and other specific performance characteristics, PMC would greatly increase the range, payload capability, and functionality of the targeted mobility or robotic manipulator arm systems found in exploration vehicle or lunar surface systems. The motors and actuators developed in this effort will be ideal for rovers (drive train, suspension and steering), cranes, instruments, drills, crushers, and other such facilities whether for lunar missions or other space exploration missions including Mars.","description":"Space Exploration Vehicles and Lunar Surface Systems require electromechanical systems that are varied and include long life capability, high reliability, high thermal tolerance, high vacuum tolerance, significantly lower mass and volume, higher mass specific power and improved efficiency over the state of practice components/systems. Space, Weight, Power efficiency, and Cost (SWaP-C) are the key performance drivers for most designs. The objective of this proposal is to demonstrate QM Power's high performance motor and actuator technology called Parallel Magnetic Circuit (PMCTM) that excels at all of those key performance parameters in low temperature lunar environments. PMC motors and actuators have higher power density (over 20% lower weight and volume than alternative high perofrmance electric motors and actuators), higher torque density, run cooler, and operate more efficiently (over 90-94%) over a wider power output range than any known conventional AC or DC motors or actuators.","startYear":2010,"startMonth":1,"endYear":2010,"endMonth":7,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":486,"endDateString":"Jul 2010","startDateString":"Jan 2010"},"infoText":"Advanced from another project within the program","infoTextExtra":"Another project within the program (Lightweight High Efficiency Electric Motors and Actuators for Low Temperature Mobility and Robotics Applications)","dateText":"June 2011"},{"transitionId":66484,"projectId":9566,"transitionDate":"2014-06-01","path":"Closed Out","closeoutDocuments":[{"title":"Final Summary Chart","file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":306359,"fileName":"SBIR_2009_2_FSC_X4.03-8928","fileSize":183301,"objectId":66484,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"179.0 KB"},"transitionId":66484,"fileId":306359}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"June 2014"}],"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
","programId":73,"responsibleMd":{"acronym":"STMD","canUserEdit":false,"city":"","external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4875,"organizationName":"Space Technology Mission Directorate","organizationType":"NASA_Mission_Directorate","naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Mission Directorate"},"responsibleMdId":4875,"stockImageFileId":36648,"title":"Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer"},"leadOrganization":{"canUserEdit":false,"city":"Lee's Summit","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":true,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":9796,"organizationName":"QM Power, Inc.","organizationType":"Industry","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"MO","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Missouri","stateTerritoryId":38},"stateTerritoryId":38,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"Industry"},"supportingOrganizations":[{"acronym":"LaRC","canUserEdit":false,"city":"Hampton","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"external":false,"linkCount":0,"organizationId":4852,"organizationName":"Langley Research Center","organizationType":"NASA_Center","stateTerritory":{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7},"stateTerritoryId":7,"naorganization":false,"organizationTypePretty":"NASA Center"}],"statesWithWork":[{"abbreviation":"MO","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Missouri","stateTerritoryId":38},{"abbreviation":"VA","country":{"abbreviation":"US","countryId":236,"name":"United States"},"countryId":236,"name":"Virginia","stateTerritoryId":7}],"lastUpdated":"2024-1-10","releaseStatusString":"Released","viewCount":618,"endDateString":"Jun 2014","startDateString":"Jun 2011"}}