Electrified Military Driveline for Extended Silent Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current military vehicles are unable to operate silently, as internal combustion engines produce significant noise, which can be detrimental in stealth missions, especially in enemy territory.
Innovation Solution
A military vehicle design incorporating an electrified driveline with a motor/generator and energy storage system, allowing for silent mobility mode operation by using stored electrical power when the engine is inactive, and the ability to charge batteries during operation, enabling extended silent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If internal combustion engine is used to power military vehicle, then vehicle can maintain sufficient power for propulsion and auxiliary systems, but vehicle produces significant noise that compromises stealth capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The power system is segmented into multiple independent power sources: an internal combustion engine and an electric motor/generator system with battery storage. This segmentation allows the vehicle to operate using only the electric motor when stealth is required, eliminating engine noise, while the engine can be activated when full power is needed without compromising overall power availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor/generator is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate as a motor to propel the vehicle silently using battery power, and as a generator to recharge the battery from the engine or external sources. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing both silent operation capability and sustained power availability through a single versatile component.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If engine is kept inactive to reduce noise, then stealth capabilities are enhanced, but vehicle cannot maintain sufficient power for extended operation
Solution Approach 1:
The battery energy storage system is pre-charged either before mission deployment or during non-stealth phases of operation. This preliminary energy storage enables the vehicle to sustain silent operation for extended durations when the engine remains inactive, directly addressing the limitation of silent operation duration while maintaining stealth capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The motor/generator functions as a self-charging system by operating as a generator during engine-powered phases to recharge the battery. This self-service capability ensures the energy storage system is continuously replenished, enabling prolonged silent operation without requiring external charging infrastructure or sacrificing mission duration.
3Duration of action of moving object
If battery capacity is increased to extend silent operation duration, then silent mobility is improved, but vehicle weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The motor/generator serves dual purposes as both propulsion motor and battery charger. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate charging equipment and allows the same component to manage energy flow in both directions, thereby extending silent operation duration without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs self-charging capability where the motor/generator recharges the battery during engine operation or regenerative braking. This self-service approach reduces the required battery capacity for a given mission duration, thereby limiting weight and complexity increases while still achieving extended silent operation capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The vehicle can operate silently for extended periods, reducing noise and thermal signatures, enhancing stealth capabilities while maintaining sufficient power for propulsion and auxiliary systems.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage system including a battery electrically coupled to the motor/generator
Implementation Method 2
a motor/generator coupled to the engine, and an energy storage system including a battery electrically coupled to the motor/generator
Data Source
AI summary
A military vehicle including an engine coupled to the chassis for providing mechanical power to the military vehicle, a motor/generator coupled to the engine, and an energy storage system including a battery electrically coupled to the motor/generator. The military vehicle is operable in a silent mobility mode with the engine inactive and the energy storage system providing power to the motor/generator to operate the military vehicle. The motor/generator and the battery are sized such that electrical power generation through engine drive of the motor/generator is greater than the power depletion through operation of the military vehicle in the silent mobility mode. The motor/generator can charge the energy storage system while the military vehicle is driving or stationary.