Paul J Dunn

US Patent:

6376762, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Sep 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/665277

Inventors:

Daniel W. French - Portsmouth RI
Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI
John J. Vaillancourt - Tiverton RI

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F42B 1900

US Classification:

114 22, 114 201, 114238, 114316, 102341, 102399, 102 89, 102 1804, 102 1807, 102 1809

Abstract:

A launch platform for a host vehicle. There is a cradle having a cylindrical shape with peripheral axial recesses formed therein and arranged around the cradle. A release mechanism is positioned within the cradle. The release mechanism releasably joins small cylindrical undersea vehicles positioned in said peripheral axial recesses.

US Patent:

7926275, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Aug 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

07/926090

Inventors:

Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F01K 25/02

US Classification:

60682, 60650

Abstract:

A closed cycle Brayton direct contact reactor/storage tank uses a chemical scrubber to assist in removing metal vapors from the working fluid. The direct contact reactor/storage tank operates by bubbling an inert gas through liquid metal fuel. The inert gas picks up metal vapors from the fuel. The chemical scrubber is comprised of a reducible material contained within a filter at the top of the reactor/storage tank. The reducible material on reacting with the metal vapor forms components that are solids at the operating temperature and pressure, thereby preventing metal vapor from circulating throughout the system as part of the working fluid and causing damage to system components.

US Patent:

7926276, Apr 19, 2011

Filed:

Aug 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

07/926116

Inventors:

Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F01K 25/02

US Classification:

60682, 60650

Abstract:

A liquid metal fueled Brayton cycle power system with a direct contact heat exchanger. In this invention, a compressor compresses the working gas. A regenerator preheats the compressed working gas and passes the working gas to a reactor/storage tank with liquid metal fuel stored therein. An oxidant is injected into the reactor/storage tank to react with the liquid metal fuel. The compressed working gas bubbles through the liquid metal fuel in the reactor/storage tank and is heated by direct contact with the fuel-oxidant mixture. A turbine expands the heated working gas and thereby withdraws power from the system. The spent working gas exits to the regenerator where it warms the compressed gas. A cooler reduces the working gas temperature and recirculates the gas to the compressor.

US Patent:

7937930, May 10, 2011

Filed:

Aug 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

07/926199

Inventors:

Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F02C 7/10

US Classification:

60 39511, 60727

Abstract:

A semiclosed power system utilizing a Brayton cycle with combustion occurring between diesel fuel and Oin direct contact with an inert gas. The inert gas and products of combustion form a heated working fluid which is expanded in a turbine to provide power. The expanded working fluid is then used in a regenerator to heat the cooler, compressed inert gas before the inert gas is transferred to the combustor. The expanded working fluid is cooled by direct contact with seawater causing the steam within the expanded working fluid to condense to water and COin the working fluid to be dissolved in the water and seawater. The inert gas is separated from the fluids and recycled within the system. The fluids are pumped overboard.

US Patent:

7938077, May 10, 2011

Filed:

May 27, 1993

Appl. No.:

08/070131

Inventors:

Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI, US
Gerald K. Pitcher - Charlestown RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F42B 19/12
B63G 8/08

US Classification:

114337, 114 202, 440 44

Abstract:

A hydrogen generation apparatus for an underwater vehicle is presented, the apparatus including a hydrolysis reaction compartment, a mass of solid lithium hydride disposed in the compartment, inlet and outlet structure for passing sea water through the compartment to generate steam, lithium hydroxide and hydrogen gas, a condenser for condensing out the steam and retaining the condensate and lithium hydroxide, and a tank for collecting the hydrogen gas, the tank having outlet structure for discharging the hydrogen gas to a vehicle propulsion system.

US Patent:

7951339, May 31, 2011

Filed:

Aug 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

07/926200

Inventors:

Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F28D 21/00
F01K 25/06

US Classification:

422207, 60650

Abstract:

A closed cycle Brayton direct contact reactor/storage tank uses an afterburner to assist in removing metal vapors from the working fluid. The direct contact reactor/storage tank operates by bubbling an inert gas through liquid metal fuel. The inert gas picks up metal vapors from the fuel. The afterburner comprises a predetermined amount of oxygen, O, being fed to a filter cavity within the reactor/storage tank and having the metal vapors react directly with the Oforming a solid oxide that remains and does not circulate as part of the working fluid throughout the external parts of the Brayton cycle outside of the reactor/storage tank causing damage to system components.

US Patent:

8156726, Apr 17, 2012

Filed:

Aug 7, 1992

Appl. No.:

07/926115

Inventors:

Paul M. Dunn - Wakefield RI, US

Assignee:

The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy - Washington DC

International Classification:

F02C 7/10

US Classification:

60 39511, 60 395

Abstract:

A semiclosed diesel fueled Brayton cycle power system is provided using COand steam as the working fluid. Combustion occurs in a combustor between diesel fuel and Owith COpresent as a diluent. During combustion, a heated, high pressure working fluid of COand steam is formed. The heated working fluid is expanded in a turbine and power is withdrawn from the fluid. The fluid is then used in a regenerator to heat cooler, compressed CObefore the compressed COis transferred to the combustor. The expanded working fluid is cooled conventionally by seawater in a cooler, condensing steam in the working fluid to water. The water is separated from the gaseous CO. The gaseous COis recycled, and the water is used to backfill the system's diesel fuel tank.