Power supplies for projectiles and other devices

Abstract

A projectile including: at least one power consuming element, and a power supply which generates power from an acceleration of the projectile and supplies such power to the at least one power consuming element, the power supply including a device for storing potential energy upon the acceleration of the projectile and a device for converting the stored potential energy to electrical energy. Where the device for storing potential energy upon the acceleration of the projectile includes a movable mass and an energy storage device for storing energy upon the acceleration of the movable mass and the energy storage device is a chamber having a compressible fluid therein, the chamber being acted upon by the movable mass to reduce the volume of the chamber subsequent to acceleration of the movable mass.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10 / 235,997 filed on Sep. 4, 2002 which claims priority to earlier filed U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 317,308 filed on Sep. 5, 2001, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by their reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention relates generally to power supplies, and more particularly, to power supplies for projectiles, which generate power due to an inherent characteristic of the projectile, such as its acceleration, spin, and / or heat generation.[0004]2. Prior Art[0005]All existing and future smart and guided projectiles and those with means of one-way or two-way communications with a command or tracking station or with each other require electric power for their operation. In addition, as munitions are equipped with the means of communicating their type and characteristics with the f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]An objective of the methods and devices of the present invention is the development of power generation devices for use on various guided and smart munitions. Depending on each specific application, one or a combination of such power generation devices can be utilized for optimal performance and minimal space and weight requirements.

[0008]Thus, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide novel methods and devices for electric power generation that can be readily integrated into the structure of the projectile with minimal or no loss of the intended functionality of the structure. As a result, all or a significant portion of the space required to house an equivalent power source can be saved. In addition, the power generation devices and their related components are better protected against high acceleration loads, vibration, impact loading, repeated loading and acceleration and deceleration cycles that can be experienced during transportation and loading operations.

[0011]The power generators are primarily integrated into the structure of the projectile as load bearing members to minimize the space requirements.

[0012]As load-bearing members, structurally integrated power generators would add minimal weight to the entire system.

[0017]Eliminate or minimize wiring requirements since the electronic, communications, sensory devices and many of the guidance and control actuation devices may be directly mounted on the structure of the projectile at the power generation site.

Problems solved by technology

The power requirement, however, becomes significant when the projectile has to be equipped with electric or smart materials based actuation devices for guidance and control, particularly if the projectile is required to become highly maneuverable over long traveling times and while traveling at relatively high speeds such as supersonic speeds.

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