Ordinance thermal battery
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsLouis Pracchia, Ronald F. Vetter, Darwin Rosenlof
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Abstract
A thermal battery activated by external heat comprising an anode, e.g. cosed of a lithium-aluminum alloy, a cathode, e.g. composed of iron disulfide, and an electrolyte, e.g. a lithium chloride-potassium chloride eutectic, the electrolyte being inactive at ambient temperature but being activated by melting at a predetermined temperature when exposed to external heating. The battery can be used as a sensor or to ignite pyrotechnic and power electronic devices, in a system for reducing the hazard of ordnance exposed to detrimental heating. A particular application is the use of the battery to activate a squib to function in conjunction with one or more other components, to vent an ordnance case, preventing its explosion in a fire.
Claims12
In combination, a thermal battery adapted to an ordnance device and to be activated only by externally heating said ordnance device which comprises at least one cell having
- an anode,
- a cathode, and
- an electrolyte positioned between said anode and said cathode, said electrolyte being inactive at ambient temperature but being activated by melting at a predetermined temperature by external heating and a means using the electrical output of the battery activated by externally heating said ordnance device, to ignite pyrotechnic or power electronic devices.
In combination, a thermal battery adapted to be activated only by external heating which comprises at least one cell having an anode, a cathode, and an electrolyte positioned between said anode and said cathode, said electrolyte being inactive at ambient temperature but being activated by melting at a predetermined temperature by external heating and
- a means to ignite pyrotechnic or power electronic devices using the electrical output of the battery, said means comprising an igniter and a thermal switch, said battery being electrically connected to said igniter through said switch, said thermal switch being operable at a temperature higher than the temperature of activation of said battery, to actuate said igniter.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.