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Wireless Battery Charging Methods for Distributed Soldier electronic Devices
Navy SBIR 2008.2 - Topic N08-108 MARCOR - Mr. Paul Lambert - [email protected] Opens: May 19, 2008 - Closes: June 18, 2008 N08-108 TITLE: Wireless Battery Charging Methods for Distributed Soldier electronic Devices TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Electronics ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PM Expeditionary Power Systems and PM Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals, their country of origin, and what tasks each would accomplish in the statement of work in accordance with section 3.5.b.(7) of the solicitation. OBJECTIVE: Develop the capability to wirelessly recharge batteries in mission critical equipment such as thermal weapons scopes to reduce Warfighter mobility limitations imposed by extensive electrical wiring. DESCRIPTION: The United States Marine Corps has begun employing an operational concept entitled Distributed Operations. Using dispersed and highly mobile forces that can rapidly mass on critical nodes, greater capability can be employed. At the smallest level of employment, the Distributed Operations Squad employs a host of pieces of equipment that use multiple power and energy sources. Many of these devices use rechargeable batteries, but not the same style batteries. Current domestic and international soldier modernization programs are attempting to provide a centralized power for all electronic power consuming devices from a single power source to reduce weight and increase redundancy. However, the introduction of a centralized power source has lead to a growth in electrical connections and wiring that now prohibitively limits Warfighter mobility while also introducing new fault pathways, such as connector breakage, into the Warfighter system. This topic seeks innovative approaches to applying technologies to provide efficient and direct recharge of critical electronic equipment, such as remote mounted thermal weapons scopes, by means of wireless, connector-free electrical interfacing via inductive coupling or other possible means. Low system cost, satisfactory human and electrical component safety, high energy transfer efficiency, as well as low ovcerall total system weight (to include batteries, chargers, interconnectivity, etc.) are paramount. PHASE I: Evaluate methodologies, such as high efficiency inductive couplings, and solutions to most efficiently (size, weight, energy transfer etc.) recharge distributed portable electronics via wireless energy transfer from a centralized power source for critical items such as thermal weapon scopes. This study shall address all critical items designated by USMC at program initiation that are carried on the Marine. At the completion of phase one there shall be trade-studies, preliminary designs and models, technical characteristics, and graphical representations of all proposed technology solutions. At program initiation, the Government will provide a set of critical mission equipment to target. Phase One Option efforts will address physical full-scale (non-working required, working desired) mockup representations of all proposed items. PHASE II: Demonstrate and deliver a prototype wireless recharging system using the system concept developed in Phase I. This prototype must be rugged, deployable on military aircraft and ships, fully supportable worldwide, and reliable. PHASE III: Develop final design and commercialization plans from the info gained during Phases I and II. PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL: Many electronic items employed by the Distribution Operations Squad are commercial based items. Novel means to electrically recharge distributed portable electronics from a centralized power source is of growing interest in the commercial sector. Several companies have developed wireless recharging products for mobile electronic devices such as cell phones and toothbrushes. This effort will lead to higher efficiency wireless charging, reduced costs, and improved ruggedness for operation in military environments. REFERENCES 2. www.dtic.mil/ndia/2004issc/wednesday/richter.ppt 3. http://www.siemon.com/us/white_papers/02-03-22-emi.asp 4. http://www.splashpower.com/Press/News_Oct_2002.html KEYWORDS: wireless power distribution; wireless battery recharging
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