High-Pressure Composite Escape Hatch with Corrosion-Resistant, Novel Securement Methods Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-065 Topic Title: High-Pressure Composite Escape Hatch with Corrosion-Resistant, Novel Securement Methods Proposal No.: N101-065-1132 Firm: KaZaK Composites Incorporated 10F GIll Street Woburn, Massachusetts 01801 Contact: Andrew Paddock Phone: (781) 932-5667 Web Site: kazakcomposites.com Abstract: KaZaK, working with a team of submarine system partners, will develop an innovative 25-inch diameter watertight hatch offering dual-sided sealment via a novel, composite-material mechanism requiring no lubricant. KaZaK will pursue this next generation system by focusing effort on three primary tasks: development of a flexible composite closure system that departs entirely from the current watertight hatch paradigm; design of a round composite hatch structure; and integration of an embedded hinge assembly for attachment to the submersible's hull. KaZaK will pursue this deep-water hatch system via application of advanced fiber-reinforced composites along with appropriate use of metal/composite hybridization. Composite materials offer enormous flexibility in constituency, allowing precise tailoring to mechanical, electrical, fire and chemical performance requirements. The design will be optimized to allow production of watertight hatches at competitively low acquisition as well as total ownership costs. KaZaK has considerable experience in novel quick-acting watertight composite closures and has previously demonstrated a prototype weight reduction of 67% over comparable Navy metal hatch design for DDG 51. This experience, combined with KaZaK's proven manufacturing and SBIR commercialization success, provides an opportunity to perform a minimum risk program leading to procurement of a superior submarine hatch system. Benefits: The proposed SBIR Phase I program will demonstrate the feasibility of a cost-effective design for providing innovative, deep-water door systems that solve many of the Navy's published issues with the legacy submersible systems. If Phase II is satisfied, closing with successful First Article Acceptance Test, a likely progression of events would begin with the Phase III commercial purchase of several sets of doors by the Navy for sea trials. It is also anticipated that other applications for low maintenance, light weight innovative doors will develop both in DoD and the commercial shipping and research industries. Operational data gathered from extended sea trials will be critical if KaZaK hopes to convince the military and commercial sectors that the extreme benefits of the advanced composite material design and state-of-the-art operational systems are also as reliable as projected. KaZaK's impressive SBIR commercialization and high-volume manufacturing experience in the last five years has provided for the internal development of a strong product transition team as well as company facility and operational policy frameworks that meet the rigorous vendor requirements of military customers and their prime contractors. Return