SBIR/STTR Award attributes
To address the Navy’s need for an alternate sled track braking mechanism for the Supersonic Naval Ordnance Research Tracking (SNORT) water brake system, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new, high-speed Permanent Magnet Linear Braking System (PermaLine Brake). It is based on using Eddy currents to slow down a high-speed rocket sled smoothly and safely to a stop before it reaches the end of the track. Specifically, the innovation in adjustable permanent magnet brakes will enable the PermaLine Brakes to stop any size sled at any speed with simple adjustments without any precision equipment. Also, these PermaLine Brakes are fail-safe, maintenance free, and require no input power, which directly address the Navy’s requirements for low-cost maintenance, calibration, and operation. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of PermaLine Brakes by developing a software model and prototype plans, reaching technology readiness level (TRL)-4. In Phase II, POC plans to finalize and test a scaled prototype of the PermaLine Brake, achieving TRL-7.
