Systems and methods of providing one or more chemical substance(s) to an organism such as a human, an animal or a plant. One non-limiting embodiment provides a quantum independent breathing apparatus (QUIBA) for using NQED(s) technology to assemble, or instantiate, or quantum print, fermions comprising a breathable atmosphere, inviting the prospect of longer forays into an inhospitable atmosphere or environment.

The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

Embodiments described herein provide for heat reclamation and temperature control of a SOFC for a submersible vehicle. The vehicle includes a SOFC, a hot box that surrounds the SOFC, a cooling loop, and a Stirling engine. The cooling loop has a heat exchanger and a coolant pump. The heat exchanger thermally couples the cooling loop to the water. The Stirling engine has a first end thermally coupled to an interior of the hot box and a second end thermally coupled to the cooling loop. The coolant pump modifies a rate of heat removal from the second end of the Stirling engine based on a pump control signal. A thermal management controller monitors a temperature of a cathode outlet of the SOFC, and modifies the pump control signal to maintain the temperature of the cathode outlet within a temperature range.

Embodiments described herein provide for heat reclamation and temperature control of a SOFC for a submersible vehicle. The vehicle includes a SOFC, a hot box that surrounds the SOFC, a cooling loop, and a Stirling engine. The cooling loop has a heat exchanger and a coolant pump. The heat exchanger thermally couples the cooling loop to the water. The Stirling engine has a first end thermally coupled to an interior of the hot box and a second end thermally coupled to the cooling loop. The coolant pump modifies a rate of heat removal from the second end of the Stirling engine based on a pump control signal. A thermal management controller monitors a temperature of a cathode outlet of the SOFC, and modifies the pump control signal to maintain the temperature of the cathode outlet within a temperature range.

The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

The invention provides a snorkel valve (2) for controlling a flow of fluid into a deployable submarine mast, the snorkel valve comprising: a valve body (30) having: a tubular wall having an outer surface and an inner surface on the reverse side of the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner bore (32); a valve inlet (38) extending through the tubular wall to fluidly connect the outer surface and the inner bore; and a valve outlet (40) in fluid communication with the inner bore, and a sleeve (42) slidable within the said inner bore between a closed position in which it covers the said valve inlet to thereby inhibit water from flowing into the inner bore through the valve inlet, and an open position in which at least a portion of the said valve inlet is uncovered by the sleeve to thereby allow air to flow into the said inner bore through the said valve inlet.

A selectively submersible vessel includes a combustor, a Stirling engine thermally coupled with the combustor, an electric generator mechanically coupled with the Stirling engine, a rechargeable battery electrically connected with the electric generator, a compressor electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery, a ballast tank fluidly coupled with the compressor, a snorkel fluidly coupled with the compressor, a controller electrically connected with the rechargeable battery, at least one sensor electrically connected with the controller, a data storage device electrically connected with the controller, and a data communications device electrically connected with the controller.

A selectively submersible vessel includes a combustor, a Stirling engine thermally coupled with the combustor, an electric generator mechanically coupled with the Stirling engine, a rechargeable battery electrically connected with the electric generator, a compressor electrically coupled with the rechargeable battery, a ballast tank fluidly coupled with the compressor, a snorkel fluidly coupled with the compressor, a controller electrically connected with the rechargeable battery, at least one sensor electrically connected with the controller, a data storage device electrically connected with the controller, and a data communications device electrically connected with the controller.

A device for deflecting acoustic waves for an object in a liquid environment includes an electrical power source located in the object. A heating grid is positioned about the object in the liquid environment, and a cooling grid is also positioned about the object in the liquid environment such that the heating grid is located between the object and the cooling grid. A least one Peltier device is joined to the electrical power source and the cooling grid for providing cooling. Resistance heating or the Peltier device can be joined to the heating grid for providing heating.