Cryogenic Liquid Operational Seal Enhanced Rotary Union Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-063 Topic Title: Cryogenic Liquid Operational Seal Enhanced Rotary Union Proposal No.: N101-063-0308 Firm: Physical Optics Corporation Information Technologies Division 20600 Gramercy Place, Bldg. 100 Torrance, California 90501-1821 Contact: Kang Lee Phone: (310) 320-3088 Web Site: www.poc.com Abstract: To address the Navy need for high-speed rotary unions, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Cryogenic Liquid Operational Seal Enhanced Rotary (CLOSER) union system. This proposed device is based on a novel design that is an extension of the POC mature family of low-speed rotary joints. The innovation in dynamic hydrostatic sealing technology enables CLOSER to provide a leakproof seal for high-power-density shipboard rotating machinery. As a result, this device offers high reliability and long life, which directly address the PMS 320 requirements. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of CLOSER by modeling and simulation, along with laboratory demonstration of a prototype. In Phase II, POC plans to develop an advanced TRL-6 prototype to show how the CLOSER approach supports the Navy need for high-speed rotary unions. Benefits: Based on initial analysis of POC's CLOSER technology, we believe that it can be used by PMS 320 to fill the cooling media delivery capability gap. The initial design and development of the CLOSER device during Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of an innovative, cost-effective, and robust high-speed rotary union design compatible with cryogenic temperatures. With the proposed CLOSER installed, a shipboard fluid or gaseous cryocooled generator's coolant supply can be efficiently coupled, leakfree, to either an advanced high-speed generator or a high temperature superconducting (HTS) generator. The CLOSER system also has significant commercial applications in public utilities and commercial power generation industries where high rotational speeds, cryogenic temperatures, and pressurized fluid/gas transfers are required. Return