Company Overview

Company Profile

Advanced Projects Research, Incorporated (APRI) is a small business founded in 1988. APRI has experience in the design and testing of experimental air breathing propulsion systems and propulsion system components. APRI also has experience in the ground testing of hypersonic propulsion systems and concepts. We take pride in our system engineering approach in which we start with the definition of customer requirements and work with our customers through the design and test process. This process includes the following steps:

  • Requirements definition
  • Conceptual design
  • Detail design
  • Fabrication and Assembly
  • Design validation

APRI has experience in the design of flow and power systems with or without combustion. Supporting test hardware such as cooling systems, gas and fuel delivery systems, electric power, and instrumentation systems have also been designed and implemented at APRI. To support the development and test of hardware, APRI can provide engineering services in the following areas:

  • System level performance modeling
  • Flow path design
  • Flow system design
  • Combustor design
  • Combustion system design
  • Machine design
  • Optical flow diagnostic systems

APRI is well equipped to perform design in our areas of expertise. We maintain proficiency in the use of several engineering simulation and design tools, which are used for system specification and design. They include:

  • Pro/ENGINEER with Pro/HARNESS and Pro/PIPING modules
  • Piping system analysis
  • Chemical kinetics and equilibrium codes
  • Transient gas dynamics codes
  • Propulsion system performance analysis
  • Structural analysis (linear and nonlinear finite element analysis)

We pride ourselves in the application of a formal engineering method. Our method is based on the system engineering method adapted to our goals of providing systems of moderate complexity to our customers. The product that we provide our customers includes hardware and design documentation to the level required by the customer. Our internal management systems include:

  • a formal engineering method;
  • configuration management system; and
  • a DCAA approved cost accounting system.

APRI's facility includes office, laboratory, and workshop space. Our laboratory and test facility includes flow instrumentation and data acquisition systems routinely used in the test of hardware developed at APRI. This instrumentation includes laser-based diagnostics for combustion measurements; high and low speed multi-channel data acquisition systems, and a gas chromatograph for the measurement of chemical composition of combustion product. Our model shop includes CNC Mills and lathes as well as manual equipment such as vertical mill, a high precision lathe, and a variety of other power and hand tools used in the fabrication of flow and combustion test articles as well as test stands. In addition to our own laboratory and test facility, we have access to a range of outside propulsion and combustion test facilities.

The staff at APRI includes Ph.D. research and development engineers expert in the areas of fluid dynamics, combustion, aero-propulsion, and related disciplines. APRI staff includes engineers and technicians proficient in the design, fabrication/procurement, and test of physical hardware. Finally, where appropriate, APRI relies on a team of consultants who provide assistance in their areas of expertise on an as-needed basis.

In the process of designing and fabricating hardware and test articles for our customers, APRI relies on the tremendous vendor base available in Southern California and elsewhere. We have established working relationships with a large number of vendors of build-to-specification parts and commercial off-the-shelf items. Our established vendor base includes access to the following processes and services:

  • Conventional and multi-axis CNC machining
  • Heavy and sheet-metal fabrication
  • Furnace, hydrogen, vacuum, induction, dip, and torch brazing
  • MIG, TIG, electron beam, and laser welding/cutting
  • Material heat treating
  • Gun drilling
  • Shaft, surface, and jig grinding
  • Sinker and wire EDM
  • Anodizing, painting, and plating
  • Investment and sand casting, including rapid prototype pattern generation
  • Metal stamping
  • Electrical harness assembly
  • Custom optics fabrication and coating