TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Ground/Sea Vehicles, Sensors, Electronics

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMS-408/EOD; ACAT IV and abbreviated acquisition programs

DESCRIPTION: For several years, PMS-408 (PMS-EOD), PMS403, and PMS495 have been developing unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) to help in the location and removal of underwater mines. These complex missions involve significant variations in location, duration, deployment scenarios and environment of operations, so the vehicles used for them vary in size and capability accordingly. The vehicle sizes can range from 9 inches to 21 inches or larger in diameter, with power and energy requirements ranging from 1 to over 10 kWh. With varying size requirements and relatively low production volume on any one vehicle, the costs to develop, procure, operate and maintain the advanced batteries for these vehicles is significant. Though many of these batteries are said to be modular they can only work in the vehicle they are designed for due to differences in power levels, communication protocols, energy storage, environmental requirements and physical detentions. To compound this problem each system also has a unique battery charger. As UUV energy and power requirements grow alternate, hybrid power systems are being explored which also compounds this problem.

Clearly the current concepts for modular batteries are not working and a new innovative approach to power systems is needed. The objective of this topic is to develop a new, universal architecture for UUV power systems. Similar to Toyota�s Synergy© Drive which is used in small and large Toyota vehicles as well as competitor�s vehicles, his new power system architecture should be adaptable to any new UUV system no matter the power system used. To accomplish these objectives research in areas such as adaptive logic, new power distribution concepts, flexible packaging and others will need to be applied. Building battery modules that just plug into each other has been show to not meet this need and is therefore not acceptable for this topic. The Navy will only fund proposals that are innovative and involve technical R&D risk.

The goal of this architecture is to reduce the overall cost of operating different size UUVs, decrease the burden of logistical support of these vehicles, and increase the capability/flexibility of the UUV systems. This power architecture should be 1) Intelligent enough to be used with various energy storage media; 2) Functional in vehicles with various sizes and power requirements; 3) Modular; 4) Applicable to both free-flooded and pressure independent UUV sections; 5) Able to communicate and transmit pertinent data to the users; and 6) Minimize size and weight.

PHASE I: Develop and demonstrate innovative battery architecture concepts that address the above requirements. Reasonable weights and volumes for system components based on current technology readiness levels (TRLs) should be used. Feasibility of the proposed design and anticipated improvements during Phase II should be supported by available scientific test data. Make recommendations for a Phase II detailed design and document in a technical report.

PHASE II: Build and demonstrate the power system architecture in UUVs of 9-inch and 12.5 inch diameter sizes, suitable for advanced laboratory and supervised field testing. These prototypes should demonstrate the ability of the battery system architecture to be adapted to various energy storage types and various power demands for vehicles of different sizes. Develop and implement a test plan that addresses the requirements above. Document and provide a Safety Assessment Report for the prototype system.

PHASE III: Prepare a manufacturing plan and marketing plan to sell this product to the government as well as the private sector if deemed beneficial. Make the necessary teaming arrangements with the manufacturers of the components used in this product.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Improved power system architecture would find wide-spread use in various fields like unmanned systems, hybrid vehicles and telecommunications.

KEYWORDS: Batteries; hybrid electronics; UUV; modular; power electronics; underwater