BATTERY POWER-SUPPLY FOR THE NAVY ELECTROMAGNETIC TORPEDO LAUNCHER

Chemical energy storage in the form of batteries is now being considered to satisfy the high power and high energy requirements for electromagnetic launchers. This paper will describe the design concept and rationale for one such battery power supply delivered to the Naval Underwater Systems Center, Newport, RI, for electromagnetic launcher laboratory research. This power supply takes advantage of new developments in lead/acid battery manufacturing to utilize a quasi-bi-polar battery called the PULSAR by GNB. The inherent advantages of the PULSAR technology greatly increase the power and energy density over conventional lead/acid design, allowing total volume (always a critical factor for Naval applications) to be reduced. These features also make the battery well suited for high power pulse mode operation as required by the EM launchers. Since the PULSAR is mass produced for commercial applications, its cost and short lead time advantage overwhelms other custom battery and potential non-battery power source options.(~)The feasibility of shipboard installation will be discussed.