Company Name:  Cottrill Cyclodyne Corporation
Proposal #:  SBIR 2001-I A8.02-9234
Project Title:  Powerplant Which Transitions Automatically 
        to Ramjet Operation
Principal Investigator:  Larry Cottrill


=Factor 1: Scientific/Technical Merit and Feasibility=

Reviewer 1 :
   The proposal's idea of developing a viably efficient automatically 
transitioning power plant to ramjet operation will undoubtedly have 
ample commercial applications and will result in reduced costs compared 
to present power plant designs.  However, this proposal's scientific and 
technical merits are not stated and explained clearly.  Utilizing 
ejector action to draw air into a power plant is a good idea but is not 
clearly quantified and analyzed in this proposal.  Flow patterns and 
direction are not backed by scientific and detailed analysis and may not 
be as PI describes in his narrative proposal.  Reasoning and explanation 
for flow patterns into [-UNDISCLOSED-] regions, and the [-UNDISCLOSED-] 
region are not very rigorous and lack computational support and 
validation. It is technically questionable whether such flow patterns 
and mass flow rates can be achieved and are feasible with current design.

Reviewer 2 :
    The concept presented contains inherent technical problems which 
would limit the device to the point where this system would be 
impractical for the application proposed.  An explanation of the way in 
which this concept would allegedly operate was presented, however, this 
was not backed up with the necessary (even preliminary) analysis to 
verify the performance claims are possible.  The use of hydrogen fuel 
was listed in the task descriptions, but no discussion of candidate 
fuels and the selection of fuels was provided.


=Factor 2: Experience, Qualifications, and Facilities=

Reviewer 1 :
    PI has a very diverse and wealthy background in a number of areas 
applicable to parts of this effort, he has shown an ability to be a self 
learner and perform well at what he does.  However, PI lacks training in 
the  area of propulsion, especially in fluid dynamics and combustion.  
To develop an efficient engine requires detailed knowledge in a number 
of fields that PI does not posses.  Facilities available for testing are 
inadequate and they lack proper instrumentation and safety precautions.  
Specially, in the area of understanding the flow behavior into the inlet 
and [-UNDISCLOSED-] and combustion process which are crucial for PI's 
power plant success.                  

Reviewer 2 :
    The principal investigator has no vocational experience in 
propulsion system design. He has a fairly broad background in several 
supporting disciplines which would help him carry out this proposed 
activity.  His formal education is significantly limited (no college 
degree, some virtually un-related college course work).  He currently is 
the sole employee of this company and, therefore, does not currently 
have any individuals with strong relevant background, training, or 
experience immediately available to assist in this proposed activity.  
No analytical results were presented to provide a technical foundation 
for the concept, and to demonstrate the technical knowledge of the 
principal investigator.


=Factor 3: Effectiveness of the Proposed Work Plan=

Reviewer 1 :
    PI has a detailed comprehensive work plan.  PI seems to have a very 
good handle on design and fabrication issues and timetables related to 
that. PI has performed pricing of the essential items required for 
completion of listed tasks and optimizes use of resources he is 
requesting.

Reviewer 2 :
    The proposed work has a strong experimental element which will 
directly examine the operation of this device. There was not any 
significant analytical/ computational effort described which would be 
necessary to interpret the performance results observed.  The scope 
of the test (due to the relatively simple design of the design) would 
probably be do-able by the principal investigator and subcontractor.  
Safety issues surrounding this experimental activity (particularly the 
use of hydrogen fuel) were not addressed.


=Overall Technical Evaluation=

Reviewer 1 :


Reviewer 2 :
     The primary strength is the principal investigator appears to be an 
innovative individual and is motivated to explore his idea and will work 
hard in an attempt to make this device operate.  A strength is also the 
relatively simple design and construction of this device.  A weakness is 
the limited background and experience of the principle investigator in 
this technical area.  A weakness is the inherent technical challenges of 
this device as shown which would make it impractical for the system 
proposed.  No specific analysis was presented which would show the device 
could be made to operate in the manner described.                  


=Factor 4: Commercial Merit and Feasibility=

Reviewer 1 :


Reviewer 2 :
    With some re-design and development an "engine" with some of the 
features included in this device may be useful in the scale model 
market.


=Comments on NASA Facility Requirements=
       [note: No NASA facilities were requested]

Reviewer 1 :


Reviewer 2 :