Electrified Military Vehicle Powertrain for Silent Weapon Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional military vehicles powered by internal combustion engines produce significant noise, making it difficult to remain discreet and unidentified in enemy territory.
Innovation Solution
An electrified military vehicle system incorporating a generator driven by an engine to provide electric power for a laser system or electric weapon system, with an energy storage system and a motor/generator driveline allowing silent operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional internal combustion engines are used to power military vehicles, then the vehicles can provide sufficient power and reliability, but they produce significant noise that makes it difficult to remain discreet and unidentified
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional internal combustion engine (mechanical system) with an electric motor-driven system. The electric motor is powered by a generator that can be driven by the internal combustion engine when high power is needed, or by an energy storage system (battery) when silent operation is required. This substitution eliminates the direct mechanical connection between the combustion engine and the vehicle's propulsion and weapon systems, thereby eliminating the noise signature while maintaining the ability to deliver sufficient power when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a generator as an intermediary component between the internal combustion engine and the vehicle's power needs. The generator converts mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy, which can then be stored in the energy storage system or used directly to power the electric motor. This intermediary allows the noisy combustion engine to operate independently from the silent electric propulsion and weapon systems, enabling the vehicle to remain discreet while still having access to high power when necessary.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the engine is kept off to reduce noise, then the vehicle can operate silently for covert missions, but the vehicle loses the ability to provide power for propulsion and weapon systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by charging the energy storage system (battery) in advance during periods when the vehicle is not required to maintain stealth. The controller manages power distribution to charge the battery from the generator or external power sources during daytime or non-covert operations. This stored energy is then available during covert nighttime operations when the engine must remain off, ensuring that sufficient energy is available for both propulsion and weapon systems without generating noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal power architecture where the energy storage system serves multiple functions: it powers the electric motor for silent propulsion, supplies energy to the generator for weapon system operation, and can be charged from multiple sources (engine-driven generator or external power inputs). This multi-functionality ensures that a single energy storage component can meet all power needs during silent operation, eliminating the need to run the noisy engine while maintaining full operational capability.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If an electrified system with generator and energy storage system is implemented, then the vehicle can operate silently, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the generator to serve multiple functions: it can be driven by the internal combustion engine to generate electrical power, it can charge the energy storage system, and it can potentially function as a motor to assist with propulsion. The energy storage system similarly serves multiple roles: storing energy from the generator, powering the electric motor during silent operation, and supplying power to the weapon systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby limiting the increase in overall system complexity while achieving 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
Enables silent and stealthy operation by powering the vehicle and its systems electrically, reducing noise and thermal signature for enhanced covert missions.
Implementation Method 1
a generator selectively driven by the engine to generate electric power
Implementation Method 2
The generator is configured to provide the electric power at least one of directly to the export power interface or indirectly to the export power interface through an energy storage system
Data Source
AI summary
An electrified military vehicle system includes a military vehicle and a laser system supported by the military vehicle. The military vehicle includes an export power interface, an engine, an axle selectively driven by the engine, and a generator selectively driven by the engine to generate electric power. The generator is configured to provide the electric power at least one of directly to the export power interface or indirectly to the export power interface through an energy storage system. The laser system includes an input interface configured to engage with the export power interface.