Current Programs
Candent Technologies is focused in designing and developing propulsion and power systems technology, including: microturbines up to 250 kW; small gas turbines in the 300 kW (400 hp) to 2,000 kW (2,750 hp) size class; waste heat energy recovery systems up to 5.0 MW; small heavy fuel reciprocating engines up to 15kW; and waterjet propulsion systems for small planing craft. Representative R&D projects below show the breadth and depth of our experience:
Navy SBIR ONR Topic N251-056 – “Compact Prime Power Source for Unmanned Airborne Systems”
Candent Technologies has been awarded a Phase I SBIR to design and develop a small turbine engine based electrical power generation system for unmanned aircraft. The proposed system is a small, recuperated gas turbine directly coupled to an alternator that produces 30 kW of electrical power at 7,000 feet on a hot day. The Phase I effort includes the preliminary design of the complete system.
Navy STTR ONR Topic N22A-T002 – “Aerodynamic Aircraft Inlet Heat Exchanger”
Candent Technologies has been awarded and is developing a heat exchanger, located in the inlet of military aircraft, which provides the capability to reject heat to the inlet airstream and to reduce the inlet distortion typical of air flow in serpentine aerodynamic inlets. Power demands for electrical systems continue to increase, and there is a defined need to reject this heat without affecting the observable signature of the aircraft. Candent Technologies teamed with Purdue University to develop a design system that will optimize the heat exchanger to minimize inlet distortion, maximize heat transfer, and minimize inlet losses. Testing of a subscale model of the system in the Purdue Boeing wind tunnel is planned for later this year. As part of the Bascom Hunter acquisition of Candent, this program is being transferred to Bascom Hunter, which should occur in the near future.
Navy SBIR ONR Topic N222-115 – “Quiet Auxiliary Propulsion Unit”
Candent Technologies has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract to develop a quiet auxiliary propulsion system for small craft in the 11 meter class. The electric drive system design is quiet, lightweight, compact, and provides sufficient power to propel small craft up to hull speed. The Phase II Option on this program has been exercised and testing is now underway. As part of the Bascom Hunter acquisition of Candent, the novation of this contract to Bascom Hunter should also occur in the very near future.
Navy STTR ONR Topic N21A-T017 – “Compact Air Compressor for Aerospace Applications”
Candent Technologies has been awarded a Phase II STTR contract to design and demonstrate a small compressor primarily for Active Flow Control systems. This compressor provides pressurized air that can be blown over the surfaces of aircraft, eliminating conventional control surfaces or providing additional control capability at low speeds. The program is in the Phase II Option period. As part of the Bascom Hunter acquisition of Candent, the novation of this contract to Bascom Hunter should also occur in the very near future.
Navy-ONR STTR Topic No. N17A-T019
Phase I and II, ongoing development of low cavitation, high efficiency propulsor for small planing craft, such as the Combat Rubber Raiding Craft (CRRC)
Candent Technologies is currently developing an advanced propulsor for small craft that promises to provide more speed, higher payload, better efficiency and a true shallow draft capability to the CRRC.
The CRRC is in use with all branches of the armed forces as well as many civilian authorities that employ these inflatable boats for first responders.
This advanced propulsor replaces the existing propeller or jet drive lower unit and can be adapted to any existing outboard motor in the 50 to 60 hp class. This lower unit has demonstrated high efficiency and very low signature both above and below the surface.
Under the Phase II option Candent has developed an electric drive version of this propulsor that provides efficient high performance electric propulsion with exceptionally low acoustic signature. The electric drive version performance and acoustic signature have been verified at a US Navy test facility.
Candent Technologies-developed electric drive outboard motor waterjet
US Navy Photo 190722-N-TP834-1149 by Mass Communications Specialist 1st Class John Philip Wagner Jr.
Candent Technologies has completed this STTR effort and is in the process of commercializing this dual use technology. Bascom Hunter is working on military applications and Candent will work to commercialize the system for civilian applications.
The Candent Technologies 300 kW power generation system mockup.
Navy-USMC/MCSC SBIR Topic No. N132-086
Phase I, II, Sequential Phase II, ongoing design and development of high power density 250kWe prime power system for directed energy weapons.
The ability to provide reliable, efficient and lightweight mobile electrical power for directed energy weapons systems is a key enabling technology for the eventual deployment of these weapon systems. Current electrical power generation systems in the 250kWe and above power class are massive systems, weighing nearly 10,000 pounds and requiring their own trailer or a separate vehicle to provide electrical power for the weapon system. Candent Technologies is currently developing a turbine generator that is an order of magnitude smaller is Size Weight and Power (SWaP) while providing fuel efficiency on par with a diesel generator system. The system includes a recuperated cycle gas turbine that directly drives a high speed alternator, increasing the speed of the alternator and significantly reducing the weight of the system.
Small Heavy Fuel Engine - Candent Technologies developed under DoD (Navy) Topic No. SBIR N121-054
Phase I and Phase II a small heavy fuel engine capable of providing up to 5kW of power for a variety of ground and marine power applications. This spark ignited two stroke engine features advanced direct fuel injection, 150 watt 12 v alternator, remote electric starting, oil injection and can be configured for air or water cooling depending on the application.
This system can be applied to small generators for tactical missions or for APU’s for vehicles that require more electrical power while on watch. Other applications such as small unmanned surface vehicles or unmanned boats are envisioned. The system is exceptionally quiet, with acoustic levels of approximately 72 db at 20 feet at high power using advanced exhaust systems developed in the program. This technology can be applied to power systems of up to 20 kW using a two cylinder version of the engine with higher capacity cylinders.
Candent Technologies is teamed with Orbital Engines of Australia in the development of this small heavy fuel engine.
Candent Technologies developed small heavy fuel engine
