Closed-loop cooling system for a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor

An apparatus for cooling a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor for an underwater vessel, said apparatus comprising:

• a combustor having a combustion chamber in which a combustion reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces steam;
• a condenser for condensing the steam from the combustion chamber to water;
• means for injecting the water from the condenser into the combustor to absorb heat from the combustion chamber;
• and
• means for injecting hot water or steam into the combustion chamber, said hot water or steam being formed by the absorption of heat by the water.

A closed-loop cooling method for cooling a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor for an underwater vessel, the method comprising:

• initiating a constant volume combustion reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion chamber in said combustor to form steam;
• condensing the steam from the combustion chamber into water;
• and
• injecting the water into the combustor to absorb heat from the combustion chamber.

A closed-loop cooling method for cooling a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor for an underwater vessel, the method comprising:

• initiating a constant volume combustion reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion chamber in said combustor to form steam;
• condensing the steam from the combustion chamber into water;
• injecting the water into the combustor to absorb heat from the combustion chamber;
• and
• injecting hot water or steam into the combustion chamber, said hot water or steam being formed by the absorption of heat by the water.

An apparatus for cooling a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor for an underwater vessel, said apparatus comprising:

• a combustor having a combustion chamber in which a combustion reaction of hydrogen and oxygen produces steam;
• a condenser for condensing the steam from the combustion chamber to water;
• means for injecting the water from the condenser into the combustor to absorb heat from the combustion chamber;
• means for ducting said steam from said combustor to a turbine to rotate a shaft of said turbine;
• and
• a gear and clutch system that uses said rotating turbine shaft to turn gear sets of said gear and clutch system to drive a propulsion system for said underwater vessel.

A closed-loop cooling method for cooling a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor for an underwater vessel, the method comprising:

• initiating a constant volume combustion reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in a combustion chamber in said combustor to form steam;
• condensing the steam from the combustion chamber into water;
• injecting the water into the combustor to absorb heat from the combustion chamber;
• ducting said steam from said combustor to a turbine to rotate a shaft of said turbine;
• and
• using said rotating turbine shaft to turn gear sets to drive a propulsion system for said underwater vessel.