Contact
Dr. Bruce Dunn
Dunn Engineering
2750 W. 12th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C.
Canada V6K 2P6
(604)-837-8707
FAX available by pre-arrangement only
E-mail:
Username: brucedunn
Internet Service provider: shaw.ca
(combine in the usual way with an @
symbol to form an E-mail address)
Personal Information
My initial training was in
biochemistry, leading to a doctorate in 1974 (University of British Columbia)
and a career in cancer research. My
cancer research activities are summarized here. I am continuing to remain active in the
cancer research field, analyzing the 15 year follow up results of an
investigation initiated in 1991 into the relationship between diet, lifestyle,
and survival in breast cancer patients.
I have always had a strong interest in engineering, materials science and instrumentation, with particular emphasis on rocket propulsion and vehicle design. Starting in the early 1980s, I began on my own time to perform independent research into aerospace topics, leading to the development of a parallel career track and publications and contributions in the aerospace field. On January 1, 1997 I left my position as head of the Environmental Carcinogenesis Section of the B.C. Cancer Agency, and joined General Astronautics. While continuing with General Astronautics, I am pursuing my own research interests as Dunn Engineering. In addition to activities related to rocket propulsion, I am engaged in research on high efficiency spark ignition internal combustion engines.
Activities in
Aerospace
1984-6 Investigated novel
methods of refueling chemically powered orbital transfer vehicles from
electrically powered orbital transfer vehicles to maximize payloads delivered
from low earth orbits to geosynchronous orbit.
Research carried out with custom written programs written in BASIC and
running on an early model of home computer.
1987 Refueling research published in
peer reviewed aerospace journal: Dunn,
B.P. High-energy orbit refueling for
orbital transfer vehicles. J. Spacecraft and Rockets 24: 518-522 (1987).
1989 Joined E-mail “space-tech”
technical discussion group on technology of rockets, and continued until
approximately 1994 when the group dissolved in the light of the development of
well established Internet discussion groups on the subject.
1990 Contributed to outreach program of
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The contribution dealt with strategies for use of specific
orbital refueling techniques to lower mission costs, and was judged in the
final published report of the program as being worth further
consideration: American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics 1990:
Final Report To the Office of Aeronautics, Exploration and Technology,
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, on Assessment of Technologies
for the Space Exploration Initiative (SEI).
1991 Contributed to outreach program of
Space Exploration Initiative, dealing with orbital refueling strategies. Contribution acknowledged in final publication.
Thomas P. Stafford, chair of the Synthesis Group (1991): America at the
Threshold, America’s Space Exploration Initiative.
1993-4 Developed a series of point designs
for low cost pressure fed satellite launchers, utilizing hydrogen peroxide and
hydrocarbons as propellants. This work
entailed my developing a suite of computer based analysis and engineering tools
for calculation of vehicle parameters and performance. These designs, under the generic name of
“P2” were published on the Internet in a space technology discussion
group. With input and comments from
participating aerospace professionals, the design was iterated through three
major versions.
1994 Conference “Making Orbit 94”, San
Francisco - presented the work on the P2 vehicle, and comparisons between the
economics of inexpensive expendable and expensive reusable vehicles.
1994 Using computer tools developed for
the analysis of the P2 vehicle, developed a new and simplified method for
pressurizing liquid rocket propellants
1994 Performed an analysis of the
implications of the newly released “Commercial Space Transportation Study” – available here
1995 In conjunction with the University
of British Columbia, applied for US patent on liquid rocket pressurization
technology.
1996: In conjunction with the University
of British Columbia, carried out hardware testing which verified the accuracy
of computer models of liquid rocket pressurization technology.
1996 Conference “Space Access 96”, Phoenix - Presented paper
on alternate propellant combinations for use in Single Stage to Orbit (SSTO) Vehicles. – available here
1996 Appointed as president of General
Astronautics Canada, working on a part-time honorary basis to manage certain
aspects of the company while finishing up a number of cancer research
activities. Joined the company full
time Jan 1, 1997.
1997 Working under a commercial
non-disclosure agreement, Utah Rocketry (Salt Lake City, Dan Moser) is awarded
a phase I SBIR grant to develop a working prototype of a functional rocket
stage using the new pressurization technology.
1998 U. S. Patent 5823478 awarded for
propellant pressurization technology.
1998 Presented pressurization technology
as an invited paper at conference Space Access 98, April 1998, Phoenix Arizona
1999 U. S. Patent 5961074 awarded for
propellant pressurization technology.
1999 Presented pressurization technology
at 2nd
International Conference on Hydrogen Peroxide for Propulsion and Power,
Purdue University, Indiana – expanded
version available here
2000 Arranged production of Adobe Acrobat version of LEO on the
Cheap by Lt. Col. John R. London III
2000 Set up www.dunnspace.com
as a site for information for the rocket propulsion and launcher community