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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Energy storage devices for sonar applications. Memorandum report

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6681412

Several energy storage systems including inertial flywheels, storage batteries, electrical capacitors and hydraulic accumulators have been considered for sonar applications. Flywheels and capacitors appear to be somewhat larger in size and weight than batteries. Hydraulic systems were found to be not feasible at this state of the art. An experimental study has been commenced to explore storage battery possibilities. Sintered-plate, nickel cadmium, rechargeable storage batteries of the sealed and vented varieties have been cycled for sonar applications. Each cycle consisted of a one-second discharge in amperes equal to twenty times the nominal cell rating followed by a ten-second charge in amperes equal to approximately two times the nominal cell rating. A one-half ampere-hour, stainless steel encased sealed cell endured four hundred ninety-four days, or over 3.8 million sonar-type cycles before failure. The failure was attributed to loss of electroylte through vaporization and escape through inadequate seals. Vented varieties which are encased in plastics may crack with age causing loss of electrolyte. Polystyrene cases have not developed cracks or other deformity in use. Vented cells have endured more than two years under sonar-type cycling.

Research Organization:
Naval Research Lab., Washington, DC (USA)
OSTI ID:
6681412
Report Number(s):
AD-A-051411; NRL-MR-1038
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English