Passively Heated Thermal Battery Using Missile Aerodynamic Heat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional thermal batteries used in missiles require active pyrotechnic heating and extensive insulation to maintain high temperatures, limiting their electrical capacity and performance, especially during the final approach to a target where high power is needed.
Innovation Solution
A passively-heated thermal battery system where the electrolyte is thermally coupled to the structural section of the missile, utilizing aerodynamic heating from air friction to maintain temperatures above 350°C, eliminating the need for internal pyrotechnic heating sources and insulation, thereby increasing electrical capacity and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If active pyrotechnic heating sources and extensive insulation are used to maintain high temperatures in thermal batteries, then the thermal battery can provide electrical energy, but the device complexity and weight increase, and the electrical capacity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aerodynamic heating (air friction) that occurs during missile flight into a beneficial heat source for the thermal battery. The electrolyte is thermally coupled to the missile's structural section, which heats up during flight due to air friction. This eliminates the need for active pyrotechnic heating sources and extensive insulation, thereby reducing device complexity and weight while maintaining reliable thermal battery operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal battery system uses the missile's own flight conditions (aerodynamic heating) to maintain the electrolyte temperature above the melting point. The structural section of the missile serves as both a structural component and a heat transfer medium, eliminating the need for separate heating mechanisms and insulation systems.
2Use of energy by moving object
If internal pyrotechnic heating sources are used to maintain electrolyte temperature above melting point, then electrical energy can be provided, but the weight and volume of the energy source increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates heavy pyrotechnic heating sources by converting the aerodynamic heating (air friction) during missile flight into the heat source for the thermal battery. The electrolyte is thermally coupled to the missile's structural section, which naturally heats up during flight. This external passive heating approach significantly reduces the weight of the energy source while maintaining the ability to provide electrical energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the heating function from the thermal battery system itself and relocates it to the missile's structural section. By thermally coupling the electrolyte to the external structural section that heats up during flight, the system eliminates the need for internal pyrotechnic heating sources and associated heavy insulation.
3Reliability
If extensive insulation is provided to maintain high temperatures, then thermal battery performance is maintained, but the volume and complexity of the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the need for extensive insulation by using aerodynamic heating from air friction during missile flight as the heat source. The electrolyte is thermally coupled to the missile's structural section, which naturally maintains high temperature during flight due to air friction. This external passive heating approach removes the requirement for heavy insulation layers, thereby reducing system volume and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The missile's structural section serves multiple functions: it provides structural support and simultaneously acts as a heat transfer medium to maintain the electrolyte temperature. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate insulation systems, reducing overall system volume and complexity.
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 passively-heated thermal battery significantly enhances electrical capacity and performance by leveraging aerodynamic heating, reducing the need for internal heating sources and insulation, allowing for continuous power supply during high-power requirements without active cooling measures.
Implementation Method 1
the missile is set up to heat up at least at one structural section during an as-intended flight, so that heat is available there
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the electrolytes can be thermally coupled to the structural section in order to transfer at least part of the heat provided at the structural section during flight from there to the electrolyte
Implementation Method 3
Above the melting temperature, the electrolyte has good ion conductivity, which is important for the performance of the thermal battery
Implementation Method 4
The activation of a thermal battery takes place by using heat sources integrated in the thermal battery. When the thermal battery is activated, the electrolyte melts
Data Source
AI summary
An energy source provides electrical energy in a missile, which is configured to heat at least one structural section during an intended flight, so that heat is available there. At least one thermal battery has at least one cell, which contains an electrolyte. The electrolyte is to be heated by the input of heat for providing the electrical energy at the thermal battery. At least one electrolyte can be thermally coupled to the structural section in order to transfer at least part of the heat provided at the structural section during flight from there to the electrolyte. A missile contains the energy source in which at least one electrolyte is thermally coupled to the structural section.