Novel Hybrid Fuel Cell Energy System for High Power Multi-Pulse Discharge

ABSTRACT:Lynntech is proposing a hybrid power system to provide the energy necessary for the directed energy pulsed applications of interest to the Air Force. The proposed system consists of a high power delivery component (battery) and a high energy density storage component (fuel cell) to meet the overall power and energy requirements. The conceptual system will deliver multiple bursts of 600kW 10 Second pulse discharges over the duration of the mission. The battery will provide the burst power necessary for the directed energy weapon, whereas the fuel cell will operate at a constant power in order to recharge the battery between firings (Figure 3). The battery will be sized to only have enough capacity to provide for one burst consisting of a certain number of power pulses with the ability to be recharged between firings by the fuel cell. This approach is specifically designed to maximize the amount of energy and hence the number of times the directed energy weapon can be fired during a given mission, thus extending the overall capability of present and future advanced weapons systems on-board UAVs.BENEFIT:The ability to provide prime power for pulse discharge energy applications is achieved without additional fuel consumption and enables increased weaponized mission endurance for systems with integrated directed energy weapons. This technology can more completely take advantage of the current UAV endurance capabilities (up to 43 hours with external tank) and provides a platform to provide continual active combat capabilities and tactical theatre defense. In addition to UAV, other airborne applications such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter can benefit from this effort by providing the ability to fulfill additional mission objectives without additional armament.