Reactant Delivery System for Underwater Vehicles Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2011.2 Topic No.: N112-155 Topic Title: Reactant Delivery System for Underwater Vehicles Proposal No.: N112-155-1014 Firm: Creare Inc. P.O. Box 71 Hanover, New Hampshire 03755 Contact: Patrick Magari Phone: (603) 643-3800 Web Site: www.creare.com Abstract: Advanced underwater vehicles (unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs), torpedoes, etc.) are key to achieving long-term objectives for undersea force projection and surveillance. Existing battery-based power systems for these vehicles do not meet mission requirements due to low energy density, prohibitive cost, and/or time-consuming maintenance. Power systems based on liquid fuels and oxidizers (collectively reactants) can provide very high-energy density for air-independent power systems. However, managing the liquid reactants presents significant challenges. Simple tanks are inadequate in many cases due to a wide variety of constraints and issues. Creare proposes a reactant delivery system (RDS) that utilizes a novel bladder system that can safely store a range of reactants for extended periods of time. The bladder system has a high fuel volume fraction; is safe, reusable, easy to fill and refill; and has very low residual fuel volume when emptied. Compatibility with a wide range of reactant and power conversion system topologies is also possible. Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility and versatility of Creare's RDS for various reactant and power conversion system combinations through design and testing. In Phase II, a complete RDS prototype will be developed and integrated with an energy hull section provided by our industrial collaborators. Benefits: The reactant delivery system to be developed under this effort will enable small underwater vehicles to achieve much higher mission performance through greater power availability and overall energy storage. Greater power availability will improve sensor capability and vehicle maneuverability, and greater energy storage will allow increased mission duration/range. The system can be applied across a broad range of UUVs, torpedoes, and small manned craft in both the military and commercial sectors. Return