PARAGON SPACE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SOCOM182-003

Description

Military divers are experiencing negative medical side effects from inhalation of cold air or mixed gas (HeO2) while diving with a closed-circuit breathing apparatus.Therefore, SOCOM is looking for an innovative device that will reheat a divers inspired breathing gas to prevent a diver from experiencing hypothermia.Paragon will apply relevant experience in the design and manufacturing of active and passive thermal humidity controls for life support systems to develop a feasibility study for possible solutions.The tradespace will evaluate devices capable of withstanding harsh oceanic environments up to 300 fsw deep with a minimum operation time of 8 hours which has the ability to maintain an inspired gas temperature per the US Navy Dive Manual.The solutions considered are small, lightweight, compact, self-powered or self-energized, passive or active, and electrical or mechanical. Paragons effort will develop practical concepts for providing heated air within requirements, develop the concepts through the use of thermodynamic and hydrodynamic parametric modeling, and development tests that inform the best possible solution for SOCOM.The team will develop tradespace metrics for performance, integration, logistics, cost, risk and lifetime.A tradespace downselect in Phase I supported by laboratory evaluations will prepare the effort for Phase II Development.