Long-Life Thermal Battery for Sonobuoy
Abstract
The prospects of significantly enhancing antisubmarine warfare (ASW) sonobuoys require a six-hour life in thermal battery capability. The fused-salt primary battery, LiSi/CoS2 has shown progress in meeting the advanced performance requirements, but is limited to 3-h life using Microtherm insulation. This Phase I project provided a cost-effective prototype development for fully meeting size A' sonobuoy performance objectives. An innovative vacuum/multifoil (V/M) insulated container, which was demonstrated in Phase I, can extend operating times to at least 6 hours. Pyro-initiated battery mockup tests with spreadsheet calculation reduced trial and error development of the advance thermal management package. Thin cross-section (0.175 inch thick) V/M Insert accomplishes six-hours and can also be deployed within the standard battery, case. It demonstrates the relative independence of V/M insulation thickness and heat retention. The header component accounts for 75% of heat loss. Reduced thickness of insulation may allow increased battery stack diameter and capacity (by 25%) to exceed 200 ping-seconds or power at greater than 10 kW. Thinner (by 50%) ceramic fiber-separator, CFS. and FeS2-CuFeS2 cathodes with 25% higher capacity density and lower-melting electrolyte have shown proof-of concept for further increasing A size sonobuoy battery performance and life. In Phase II based on 30 ten-cell tests, we expect to increase both battery life and performance by at least 50%. Phase II would demonstrate the requirements for the improved, 6-h sonobuoy battery and aid in commercialization of the rechargeable thermal battery. A "dual-use" objective enables cost-effective deployment of the long life thermal battery for the A' size sonobuoy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 20, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA376662
Entities
People
- Thomas D. Kaun