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JASC Ships First PWM Fuel Control Valve
destined for use on DARPA's Micro UAV's
Originally Published,
July 2003
JASC is pleased
to announce the completion and shipment of our Pulse Width Modulated
(PWM) Fuel Control Valve. This valve is used to meter fuel to small
compression ignition engines. Target applications for this valve
include the engines used to power the developing field micro UAV/drone
aircraft for the U.S. armed forces. These drones weigh about five
pounds, measure about nine inches in diameter and are designed to
fit inside a soldiers backpack. These drones are intended to be
part of an autonomous aircraft and ground vehicle network that will
perform a wide range of military missions. The Micro UAV’s
can carry small cameras and may be used to fly “over the next
hill” to perform reconnaissance
for other robotic or manned units (1).
The PWM Fuel
Control Valve meters fuel flow and provides positive fuel shutoff
for either diesel or JP-8 by using a modest fuel tank head pressure
as the motive force. The PWM Fuel Control Valve is operated by a
PWM signal from an electronic fuel management computer. The fuel-metering
schedule is a function of duty cycle at a fixed frequency, as commanded
by the electronic fuel management computer. This design provides
for a low cost, small and lightweight fuel metering valve for small
engines and is based upon existing JASC technology for “clapper
type” fast-response solenoid valves.
The Pulse Width
Modulated Fuel Control Valve is another example that demonstrates
JASC’s capabilities in designing innovative flow control devices
to fit a wide range of applications. For a detailed list of the
products that JASC currently manufactures, please visit the Products
page.
PWM Fuel Control Valve operating characteristics:
• Input Signal: 5.0 ± .5 VDC @ 30 HZ
• Duty Cycle: 12% to 75% range
• Max. Current: .50 amps.
• Flow: 0.2 to 2.0 PPH @ 10 inches of head pressure
• Seat Leakage: Zero
• Temp. Range: -65 to +350 °F
• Dry Weight: 2.0 oz. Max.
• Dimensions: 0.500” F X 1.500” length max.
(1)
Popular Science Magazine, June 2003.
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