Pyrotechnic Liquid Reserve Battery Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current liquid reserve batteries for munitions suffer from poor performance at low temperatures, particularly below −25 to −40 deg. F, and slow rise times, which are inadequate for military applications requiring operation at temperatures as low as −65 deg. F and high firing accelerations.
Innovation Solution
The development of pyrotechnic charge-activated liquid reserve batteries that utilize a pyrotechnic material to heat and rapidly inject the liquid electrolyte into the battery cell, reducing rise time and enhancing performance at low temperatures, using a design with collapsible storage units and vacuum generation to minimize resistance and accelerate activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If liquid electrolyte is stored separately in reserve containers, then battery shelf life is extended and electrodes remain inactive, but activation time increases and performance at low temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The battery components (electrodes, separator, housing) are pre-assembled in the final configuration, with only the liquid electrolyte stored separately in collapsible reserve containers. This preliminary assembly allows the battery to achieve near-instant activation upon electrolyte injection, eliminating the need for post-activation assembly steps while maintaining long shelf life through separate electrolyte storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by using the pressure generated from collapsing the flexible electrolyte reserve containers to force the liquid electrolyte through injection channels into the battery cell. This pressure-driven injection system enables rapid electrolyte delivery to the electrodes, significantly reducing activation time compared to passive diffusion or wick-based systems.
2Device complexity
If conventional liquid reserve batteries are used, then battery structure is simple, but performance at temperatures below −25 deg. F. deteriorates and rise time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the physical parameters of the electrolyte delivery system by using flexible collapsible containers that generate positive pressure during collapse, forcing the electrolyte to inject rapidly into the battery cell. This pressure parameter change enables the electrolyte to overcome the increased viscosity at low temperatures and achieve fast activation even below −40 deg. F., significantly improving low-temperature performance while maintaining a relatively simple overall battery structure.
3Speed
If electrolyte is injected under pressure to reduce rise time, then activation speed increases, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The battery system activates itself by utilizing the elastic potential energy already stored in the pre-compressed flexible electrolyte reserve containers. When activation is initiated, the containers naturally collapse under their own elastic recovery, generating the pressure needed to inject the electrolyte without requiring external power sources, motors, or complex injection mechanisms. This self-service approach achieves fast electrolyte delivery while maintaining simple device architecture and low energy consumption.
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 achieve rapid activation and high performance at very low temperatures, with a significant reduction in rise time and the ability to withstand high firing accelerations and long shelf life, making them suitable for small and medium caliber munitions and sub-munitions.
Implementation Method 1
utilize a pyrotechnic material to heat and rapidly inject the liquid electrolyte into the battery cell
Implementation Method 2
The burning pyrotechnic charge 130 heats the liquid electrolyte 108 and generates a pressure
Implementation Method 3
collapsible storage units and vacuum generation to minimize resistance and accelerate activation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for producing power from a liquid reserve battery. The method including heating a liquid electrolyte and forcing the heated liquid electrolyte into gaps dispersed in a battery cell.