SBIR-STTR Award

With UUV sizes ranging from 9 0x9D to +60 0x9D in diameter and missions that include forward fleet reconnaissance, mine detection, inspection, oceanography, payload delivery, communication, and anti-submarine warfare; a flexible and modular energy storage system with advanced power management system architecture (PMSA) is needed to meet these applications. However, before such a PMSA can be developed the proper energy storage system must be identified. To determine the most optimal energy storage system, a design model is required that accounts for factors related to UUVs in the 9 0x9D to 21 0x9D size. Stand alone and hybrid energy systems are ideal for use in UUVs, but determining the proper combination and chemistry is critical to achieving optimal performance. The result of this design model will be used in the development of a flexible power management system architecture. The PMSA is based on Lynntechs propriety fuel cell/battery hybrid power management system architecture that has shown its effectiveness on real systems ranging from 20 W - 1000 W. An optimized PMSA with an energy storage system that is modular will allow for greater flexibility in the use of UUVs for Naval applications.

Benefit:
It is anticipated that the research and development effort will have potential commercial benefits to UUVs used by public and private research institutes, the oil and gas industry, search and rescue teams, and cities for the management of shore lines. In addition, the PMSA can be used for terrestrial based vehicles and portable power applications. The creation of an advanced PMSA will result in power systems that are smaller, lighter, and more efficient thus reducing time and cost for power applications that have variable load requirements for extended durations.

Keywords:
energy storage, energy storage, Battery, hybrid power system, UUV, power management system architecture

Small UUV range in size from 9 0x9D to 12.75 0x9D in diameter and are used for missions that include forward fleet reconnaissance, mine detection, inspection, oceanography, payload delivery, and communication; a flexible and modular energy storage system with advanced power management system architecture (PMSA) is needed to meet these applications. To be effective the PMSA must be developed with proper energy storage system. To determine the most optimal energy storage system, a power profile along with physical constraints must be defined. Stand alone and hybrid energy systems are ideal for use in UUVs, but must be sized properly to maintain flexibility across different sized UUVs. The results of Phase I show that it is possible to create a hybrid power system with a tailored PMSA that improves on mass, volume, and runtime compared to existing battery technology. In Phase II Lynntech will demonstrate this proof of concept by developing and testing real hardware. This will culminate with a demonstration of the hybrid power system with the PMSA in a UUV for the Navy.

Benefit:
It is anticipated that the research and development effort will have potential commercial benefits to UUVs used by public and private research institutes, the oil and gas industry, search and rescue teams, and cities for the management of shore lines. In addition, the hybrid systems with a PMSA can be used for terrestrial based vehicles and portable power applications. The creation of an advanced PMSA for hybrid systems will result in power systems that are smaller, lighter, and more efficient thus reducing time and cost for power applications that have variable load requirements for extended durations.

Keywords:
energy storage, power management system architecture, Fuel Cell, hybrid power system, UUV, hydrogen peroxide, Chemical Hydride, Battery