DHI Collaborating with Australia’s Guina R&D In Developing Superconducting Homopolar Motors and Generators

Manassas Park, VA (May 15, 2012) – DHi (Defense Holdings, Inc.®) has announced that it will be supplying engineering services and HiPerCon® Brand Metal Fiber Brushes to Guina R&D for development of Guina’s high-efficiency superconducting homopolar electromagnetic “Tron Turbines” (motors and generators). Superconducting homopolar motors are among the most power-dense and electrically-efficient devices in the world. DHi’s HiPerCon Brand metal fiber brushes (electric brushes) are a key enabling technology that will allow these super-efficient electric machines to power industry into the next century.

Superconducting Homopolar Motors, Electrical Motor Brushes, and Metal Fiber Brushes

Superconducting homopolar technology has long been the “Holy Grail” of super-efficient and highly power-dense motors and generators. While fairly simple in concept, construction and operation, the success of these devices has long been limited by traditional brush systems that were inadequate to transfer the very high direct current required across the sliding interfaces. Existing carbon and metal-graphite electric brushes simply cannot handle the power requirements.  Additionally, another problem associated with long term operation of these devices has been the effect of the extremely high magnetic fields of up to 5 Tesla generated inside these machines. Guina’s line of Tron Turbines overcomes these challenges via DHi’s metal fiber brushes and a unique method for control of the high magnetic fields.

Originally, DHi (Defense Holdings, Inc.), then known as Noesis, Inc., developed metal fiber brushes for use as electric brushes on the U.S. Navy’s nuclear submarine fleet. The technology was developed through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Small Business Independent Research (SBIR) program working with HiPerCon, LLC, the U.S. Navy, and the University of Virginia. Metal Fiber Brushes (MFBs), which gain their name from the fact that they are constructed of thousands of hair-fine silver alloy fibers running on their tips, offer significant improvement over carbon brushes at sliding speeds up to 90 m/second. Benefits include: (1) current transfer, offering extended brush and slip ring service life of at least twice the service life of carbon brushes; (2) high current capacity of 1,000 amps/sq.-in.; and, significant decreases in mechanical, acoustic, and electrical noise. MFBs produce 80% less wear debris than solid electric brushes reducing the need for expensive maintenance and reducing the potential for shorts and grounds. HiPerCon is the worldwide exclusive licensee for this technology. DHi is HiPerCon’s sole distributor for metal fiber brush and slip ring products including HiPerCon’s line of shaft grounding brushes.

DHi’s Metal Fiber Brushes Will Power Guina “Tron” Series of Superconducting Electromagnetic Turbines

DHi scientists and engineers collaborated with Guina scientists to develop a unique brush and brush holder system that provided extended service life while mitigating the effects of the high magnetic fields. The system utilizes power-dense metal fiber brushes to transfer current across the sliding interface. The brush system design maximizes brush service life in a very compact envelope by integrating a unique brush and spring system into the brush holder. The Tron Turbine’s brush holder system allows the brushes to operate independently while acting as an electrical integrated system.

Rich Martin On Collaborating With Guina R&D On Superconducting Electromagnetic Tron Turbines

Rich Martin, DHi’s President and CEO stated, “Many government and non-governmental organizations have been chasing the superconducting homopolar motor holy grail for a long time. HiPerCon has been involved in some of these efforts. What makes the efforts with Guina R&D so promising is the collaborative nature of this effort. Bringing together DHi’s and HiPerCon’s knowledge of metal fiber brush and brush system design with Guina’s knowledge of turbine design has allowed us to succeed where others have failed. DHi and Guina strongly believe that our metal fiber brush technology is critical to moving this highly efficient power source to market. Guina’s superconducting homopolar motor/generator technology can make major contributions to energy efficiency throughout the world.”

Guina R&D, LLC, based in Surfers Paradise, Australia, is a world leader in research and design of superconducting machines. Mr. Ante “Tony” Guina, the Managing Director of the company, started research into the magnetic and electromagnetic fields in the mid 1990's. In early 2010, Mr. Guina invented his first electromagnetic turbine (Alpha-Tron).

Founded in 1994 and originally operated as Noesis, Inc., DHi (Defense Holdings, Inc.) is a privately-held, service-disabled, veteran-owned, minority-owned (Native American), small business. DHi has been ISO 9001 registered since 2003 and has received awards from the federal government for outstanding technical innovation and performance. DHi is based in Manassas Park, VA with other facilities in Charlottesville, VA and Trenton, NC. DHi works with customers worldwide to overcome the limitations of conventional carbon and carbon-metallic brushes and slip ring systems in a wide variety of applications.

Defense Holdings, Inc. To Supply New Electrical Brush Technology to Sikorsky for Hub Mounted Vibration System

Manassas Park, VA (November 15, 2011) – Defense Holdings, Inc.® (DHi®) has announced that it will be supplying Power and Data Brush Block Assemblies with HiPerCon® brand Metal Fiber Brushes to Sikorsky for its Hub Mounted Vibration System (HMVS) demonstration under the Active Rotor Component Demonstration program. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The key development team member for the HMVS system is the LORD Corporation of Cary, North Carolina. The effort is jointly funded by Sikorsky and the U.S. Army’s Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD) under Agreement No. W911W6-11-2-0001.

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1 Year Field Test of DHi Wind Turbine Slip Ring Predicts 20-Year Brush Life Achievable

1 Year Assessment of DHi Blade Pitch Control Slip Ring with Metal Fiber Brushes in a GE 1.5MW Wind Turbine Validates 20-Year Brush Service Life

DHi/HiPerCon Metal Fiber Brushes vs. Metal-Graphitic Brushes or “other’ Fiber Brushes for Slip Ring Applications

DHi® (Defense Holdings, Inc. ®) of Manassas Park, VA and H&N Electric from Pasco, WA recently conducted an up-tower inspection of DHi’s revolutionary blade pitch control slip ring featuring HiPerCon® Brand metal fiber brushes (electric brushes) after one year of slip ring operation at PacifiCorp, Inc.’s Leaning Juniper Site in Arlington, OR. The DHi slip ring had operated trouble- and maintenance-free over the year. Inspection revealed the HiPerCon metal fiber brushes exhibited immeasurable wear after a year of operation. All the wear debris from the brushes was able to be wiped up by a single “Q-tip” cotton swab. The slip ring internals looked as if the slip ring was new off the shelf. This inspection validated that these new HiPerConâ Brand metal fiber brushes (electric brushes) are capable of operating without maintenance for the life of the turbine. DHi’s slip rings are designed to replace OEM blade pitch control slip ring in GE 1.5MW and 1.6MW SSB and ESS wind turbines. Since the first installation a year ago, H&N has ordered and installed these slip rings in many other locations in the United States and Canada. There have been no reported problems with any DHi unit installed in the past year of operations. 

DHi’s HiPerCon® Brand Metal Fiber Brushes vs. Metal-Graphitic Brushes or “Other’ Fiber Brushes for Slip Ring Applications

DHi’s Metal Fiber Brushes, or MFBs, which gain their name from the fact that they are electric brushes constructed of thousands of hair-fine silver alloy fibers running on their tips, offer significant improvement over other type brushes including carbon brushes, carbon-metallic brushes, and other metal type brushes. DHi’s brushes provide superior current and data transfer, offering extended brush and slip ring service life of at least twice the service life of carbon and carbon–metallic brushes. They also offer high current capacity of 250 amps/sq-in and significant decreases in acoustic, mechanical, and electrical noise at sliding speeds up to 70 meters/second. These long life electric brushes produce 80% less wear debris than solid brushes and require ZERO lubrication, reducing the need for expensive maintenance and reducing the potential for short circuits and grounds. The little wear debris that is generated tends to settle to the bottom of the enclosure where it doesn’t cause problems and is easily cleaned up rather than being distributed throughout the enclosure and causing shorts, grounds, and other issues. DHi Metal Fiber Brushes, with their low spring force, are far less likely to damage the slip ring surface than carbon brushes or carbon-metallic brushes. DHi Metal Fiber Brushes’ silver alloy fiber also offers significantly better service life and higher sliding speeds over gold wire technology at a considerable price advantage. DHi’s HiPerCon MFB slip rings can be supplied as a form, fit, and function replacement to most existing slip ring designs, as demonstrated with the GE 1.5MW wind turbine. The long life, high reliability, and low maintenance of HiPerCon Brand MFBs make them ideal for wind turbine use.

The North American Wind Service Alliance (NAWSA)

H&N Electric is owned by Denver, Colorado based Wazee Companies, LLC and is a member of NAWSA (North American Wind Service Alliance), which is North America's only integrated wind turbine service network dedicated to providing efficient and professional repair service for wind powered engines.

Rich Martin, DHi’s President & CEO, On The New Slip Ring Technology

Rich Martin, DHi’s President and CEO, states, “This one year assessment validates all our previous work in bringing this slip ring technology to the wind industry. The internals of the slip ring after one year of operation looked brand new. Anyone who has ever experienced cleaning out a carbon brushed slip ring can attest to the significant savings these brushes can bring to the wind industry in reducing operational costs. We are really excited to be working with H&N Electric and the NAWSA group of companies to bring our Metal Fiber Brush technology to the wind power industry. Our new and remanufactured slip rings with long life electric brushes offer up to a ten-year maintenance interval (cleaning/inspection) and at least a 200 million revolution Metal Fiber Brush service life.”
DHi Pitch Control Slip Rings can be purchased by contacting H&N electric at (800) 795-3537.
Visit us at Windpower 2012 in Atlanta June 3-6 at the Wazee Companies’ booth #4215 and see our SSB and ESS slip rings for GE 1.5MW and 1.6 MW wind turbines.

Founded in 1994 and originally operated as Noesis, Inc., DHi is a privately-held, service-disabled, veteran-owned, minority-owned, small business that works with customers to overcome the limitations of conventional carbon brushes and carbon-metallic brushes and slip ring systems. DHi is based in Manassas Park, VA with other facilities in VA and Trenton, NC. DHi has been ISO 9001 registered since 2003 and has received awards from the local, state, and federal government for outstanding technical innovation and performance.

H&N Electric specializes in working with customers on solving problems inherent with wind turbine generators and their associated components and provides a wide range of wind turbine repairs including, but not limited to, generator, gearbox, slip ring, bearings, and electrical repair both up and down tower.

Defense Holdings, Inc to Provide Safety Markings and EXIT Signs for Army National Guard Headquarters

Manassas Park, VA (November 03, 2011) – Defense Holdings, Inc.® (DHi®) will provide environmentally responsible, safe, green, photoluminescent (PL) EXIT signs and Low Level Exit Path Markings (LLEPMs) for the new headquarters of the Army National Guard in Arlington, VA. DHi was awarded a subcontract from CFM Project Consulting Group, Inc. who is the prime contractor under National Guard Bureau Acquisitions Office Contract W9133L-11-P-0179. CFM Project Consulting Group Inc., is an 8a Woman-Owned Small Disadvantaged Business specializing in General Contracting, Design/Build, and Construction/Renovation Services. The CFM and DHi team have completed projects together for The Pentagon. Under the new subcontract, DHi will provide project management, site supervision, door trim, EXIT signs, corridor directional markings, step markings, handrail markings, and stair ID signs. This installation is scheduled to begin on November 7, 2011.

DHi Has Previously Installed Photoluminescent Safety Marking Throughout the Pentagon

DHi has pioneered the photoluminescent safety product market and is currently one of the largest installers of PL safety products in the United States. DHi’s AfterGlow® Brand PL safety products (including EXIT signs) are installed throughout the Pentagon and in many other locations around the country. The International Building Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards which serve as models for local codes were updated in 2009, and the General Services Administration has also recently updated its standards, and now mandates the use of PL EXIT signs and safety markings. DHi provides one of the few safety-grade glow paints certified for use in building applications.

DHi’s Other Products (Including Glow Paints) Are Installed In Ship, Aircraft, Combat and Tactical Vehicles and School Buses

DHi’s AfterGlo® glow paints are being used to make spinning propellers visible to ground crew on aircraft carrier flight decks and airport ramps, on helicopter main and tail rotors, in filling engraved lines and characters, and in buildings as well. More than 25,000 PL emergency egress lighting kits have been sold for use in combat and tactical vehicles. PL instrument panel lights are being used in aircraft and other DHi PL safety marking products are in use in Navy and Coast Guard ships. DHi is presently working with OEMs and regulatory agencies to expand the use of its PL tapes, glow paints and related PL safety products to freight and passenger rail, commercial aviation, and passenger and school bus applications.

DHi Approached By Army National Guard For Pentagon-Like Solution

“In July, 2011, DHi was approached by Mr. Cornell Scott, Safety & Occupational Health Specialist for the Army Reserve/National Guard (Army National Guard) Headquarters Building 2, located at 111 South George Mason Drive in Arlington, VA. He informed DHi that Building 2 was nearing completion, and that many of its occupants were recently relocated from the Pentagon as part of the BRAC move. Because 3 of the levels of the new building are subterranean floors (no windows), he was looking for a Low Location Egress Pathway Marking System “very similar” to the Pentagon system. In fact, Mr. Scott told us that senior level management stated they would not occupy the building until this safety system was installed.  In October, 2011 and after numerous on site meetings, DHi was awarded the subcontract contract to install a “Pentagon-like egress marking system”.  This system will include PL safety markings and EXIT signs for all stairwells, corridors, and office suites located below grade level.

About Defense Holdings, Inc.

Founded in 1994 to provide scientific, engineering and program management services to the Federal government, since 2001 DHi has been a leader in all the areas of high performance photoluminescent technology (PL) industry including research, specifications development and manufacturing of EXIT signs, tapes, rigid and semi-rigid products, glow paints and standard and custom safety signage. The company is a privately-held, service-disabled, veteran-owned, minority small business that works with customers to develop comprehensive PL safety solutions for their problems. DHi is based in Manassas Park, VA with other facilities in Charlottesville, VA and Trenton, NC. DHi has been ISO 9001 registered since 2003 and has received awards from the federal government for outstanding technical innovation and performance. DHi is one of 60 small businesses that are charter members in the EPA’s U.S. Climate Leaders Program.