Pyrotechnic Liquid Reserve Battery for Munitions Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid reserve batteries for munitions face challenges in operating effectively at low temperatures, particularly below −25 to −40 deg. F, and have slow rise times, which are not adequately addressed by existing methods such as pressurized electrolyte injection or wicking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The development of pyrotechnic charge-activated liquid reserve batteries that use pyrotechnic materials to heat and pressure-inject the electrolyte into the battery cell, reducing rise time and enhancing performance at low temperatures through the use of collapsible storage units and vacuum generation to minimize gas resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If pressurized electrolyte injection or wicking mechanisms are used, then rise time is reduced, but performance at low temperatures remains inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameters of the electrolyte by heating it to a controlled temperature range (20°C to 80°C) before injection. This temperature control optimizes both the流动性 (fluidity) for rapid injection and the electrochemical performance at low operating temperatures, resolving the contradiction between fast activation and low-temperature reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary heating of the electrolyte to the optimal temperature range before it is injected into the battery cell. This advance preparation ensures that the electrolyte is in the ideal state for both rapid delivery and effective low-temperature operation, addressing both rise time and performance requirements
2Duration of action of stationary object
If electrolyte is stored in separate container, then shelf life is extended, but activation speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a pyrotechnic charge to generate high-pressure gas that rapidly forces the electrolyte from the separate storage container through a delivery mechanism into the battery cell. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach achieves both long-term storage stability and extremely fast activation by using pressure-driven injection
Solution Approach 2:
The pyrotechnic charge undergoes a rapid phase transition from solid/liquid reactants to high-pressure gas, generating the force needed for rapid electrolyte injection. This phase transition enables the system to maintain electrolyte separation for long shelf life while achieving fast activation when needed
3Volume of stationary object
If gas is present in battery cell, then volume is occupied, but electrolyte injection is resisted
Solution Approach 1:
The pyrotechnic charge generates a rapid phase transition to high-pressure gas that serves dual purposes: it forces the electrolyte into the battery cell while simultaneously displacing and compressing any gas already present in the cell. This overcomes gas resistance to injection
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the explosive expansion of the pyrotechnic charge to rush the electrolyte through the battery cell in a extremely short time period, bypassing the resistance that would normally be encountered from gas displacement. The injection happens so rapidly that gas resistance becomes negligible
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
These batteries can achieve rapid activation and maintain high performance at very low temperatures, ensuring reliable operation over a wide temperature range and long shelf life, suitable for high-firing accelerations and various spin rates, while differentiating all-fire from no-fire events without external sensors or power sources.
Implementation Method 1
heating the liquid electrolyte with a pyrotechnic charge
Implementation Method 2
forcing the injected liquid electrolyte into the battery cell
Implementation Method 3
minimize the resistance to infiltration of the liquid electrolyte into the battery cell by providing a relative vacuum
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid reserve battery including: a collapsible storage unit having a liquid electrolyte stored therein; a battery cell in communication with an outlet of the collapsible storage unit, the battery cell having gaps dispersed therein; a first pyrotechnic material partially disposed adjacent the collapsible storage unit such that initiation of the first pyrotechnic material provides pressure to collapse the collapsible storage unit to heat and force the liquid electrolyte through the outlet and into the gaps; and a tube disposed in the battery cell, wherein second pyrotechnic material is disposed in the tube, the tube being one of formed of an electrically non-conductive material or covered with an electrically non-conductive material.