STTR Phase I: Actively Controlled Self-Aspirating Microelectromechanical (MEMS) Fuel Atomizer

这个小企业技术转让（STTR）第一阶段研究项目将开发一种自吸气微机电（MEMS）雾化器，用于向化油器发动机定时燃油喷射。液体燃料化油器最常用的小型汽油发动机的计量，喷射和混合燃料与空气流到发动机。然而，该系统不能定时喷射，因此发动机遭受相对差的燃料经济性和高排放水平。不幸的是，小型发动机会产生大量的HC、CO、NOx和颗粒物排放，这些排放物形成烟雾并含有有毒化合物，如苯、甲苯、甲醛、乙醛和丙烯醛。由于这种大量的污染，EPA已经强制规定了这些发动机的排放法规，现有技术将无法以成本有效的方式满足这些法规。拟议的工作将开发低成本的MEMS燃料雾化器定时喷射。第一阶段项目将确定这项新技术的可行性，并提出制造设计方案。低成本的小型发动机已经使大量的休闲车和家用设备成为可能;仅发动机一项，美国市场每年就约为2000万美元。这些发动机是用简单的涡轮增压器作燃料的，这种发动机可靠，成本低。不幸的是，这些发动机的排放量太高，无法满足未来两年将实施的EPA法规。降低排放的燃料控制技术仍然必须像涡轮增压器一样便宜和耐用，否则它们不会得到广泛使用。主动控制和自吸气的MEMS燃料雾化器将在这项工作下开发，可以建立在大量的低成本IC微制造设施。因此，所提出的雾化器将以比竞争技术低得多的成本提高燃料经济性并减少排放。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I research project will develop a self-aspirating microelectromechanical (MEMS) atomizer for timed fuel injection into carbureted engines. The liquid fueled carburetor most commonly used in small gasoline fueled engines meters, injects and mixes the fuel with the air flowing to the engine. However, the system cannot time the injection, so the engines suffer from relatively poor fuel economy and high emission levels. Unfortunately, small engines account for significant amounts of HC, CO, NOx, and Particulate Matter emissions, which form smog and contain toxic compounds such as benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and acrolein. Due to this significant amount of pollution, the EPA has mandated emissions regulations for these engines, which existing technology will be unable to meet in a cost effective manner. The proposed work will develop low-cost MEMS fuel atomizers for timed injection. This Phase I project will determine the feasibility of this new technology and proposed a design for its manufacture.Low-cost small engines have enabled a large number of recreational vehicles and equipment for home use; the U.S. market is about $20M per annum for the engines alone. These engines are fueled with simple carburetors, which are reliable and cost little. Unfortunately, the emissions from these engines are too high to meet EPA regulations that will be in place in the next two years. Fuel control technologies to lower the emissions must still be inexpensive and robust like the carburetors or they will not see widespread use. Actively controlled and self-aspirating MEMS fuel atomizers to be developed under this effort can be built in large numbers with low-cost IC microfabrication facilities. Therefore, the proposed atomizers will improve fuel economy and reduce emissions at much lower cost than the competing technologies.