A Compact System for Shipboard Pipe Reinforcement Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2015.1 Topic No.: N151-042 Topic Title: A Compact System for Shipboard Pipe Reinforcement Proposal No.: N151-042-0328 Firm: Creare LLC 16 Great Hollow Road Hanover, New Hampshire Contact: Jay Rozzi Phone: (603) 643-3800 Web Site: http://www.creare.com Abstract: Typical piping joint designs in the fuel systems of Navy ships are susceptible to weakening due to poor inherent weld quality and localized corrosion. The current composite patches and other processes that represent the state-of-the-art for reinforcement weakened areas are expensive; difficult and potentially hazardous to install; and not durable. Our novel solution to reinforce weld joints and other difficult-to-access areas in fuel system piping is our Compact Repair System (CRS). We have adapted a conventional welding process currently used for large-scale manufacturing and miniaturized the technology to facilitate material addition for reinforcement. Our CRS is ideally suited to portable systems for shipboard pipe reinforcement applications. Because we are currently working with PMS 312 on a similar approach for pipe repair, our CRS represents the unique opportunity to develop a single, highly flexible tool to repair and reinforce the JP-5 fuel system piping on Navy ships. During the Phase I project, we will assemble the CRS, complete reinforcement testing on relevant materials, and design the prototype for shipboard pipe reinforcement. During Phase II, we will complete the system design, fabrication, and testing and transition the technology to the Navy fleet. Benefits: The ability to safely, efficiently, and conveniently join two metals together to facilitate a reinforcement with a compact, low-power system would have applications in a wide variety of commercial and military products including automotive, space systems, construction, and numerous military applications. Return