Unmanned Undersea Vehicle UUV Long Endurance Energy Sources

The available rate capability of 5-10 W/lb from the High Energy Density 2000 AH cell will be advanced to 10-20 W/lb while retaining present safety characteristics. This Lithium - Thionyl Chloride cell will be down-sized in capacity to 1200 AH in an 18 lb. cell such that the final battery of 30 cells, with 100 V output, will fit within the dimensions of a torpedo tube. A high specific energy of 180 WH/lb at 5 KW constant power and 10 KW peak power is projected. The design objective is to obtain high electrical efficiency at cell level, facilitating safe thermal management of the battery in Phase II. Three progressively evolving cell designs, with two cells of each design, will be built and tested to demonstrate this high power capability and 220 WH/lb is expected from the third iteration. Probabilitiy of success is high based on the maturity of the HEDB technology. The failure modes of this battery system will be identified, using the data from critical component tests, and the battery design features and system controls, which mitigate these concerns, will be formulated. A test program will be written with the objective to demonstrate, by Phase II implementation, that all safety questions are resolved.