METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ARMOR HAVING INTEGRATED BATTERY POWER

• US 20130084473A1
• Filed: 10/03/2011
• Published: 04/04/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Raytheon Company (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Wahlquist, Gary F., Imholt, Timothy J., Horvath, Charles L., VanRees, H. Barteld
• Granted Patent: US 9,140,523 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/8
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 5/0421 Ceramic layers in combination with metal layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0413 Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for battery armor including a first ballistic protection layer comprising a non-conductive material to provide ballistic protection, and a second ballistic protection layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer, the second ballistic protection layer including a battery layer. Exemplary embodiments for battery armor include layers of non-conductive and conductive materials to provide ballistic protection and electrical power.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a first ballistic protection layer comprising a non-conductive material to provide ballistic protection; and

a second ballistic protection layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer, the second ballistic protection layer comprising;

a first battery layer including;

an anode layer having opposing first and second surfaces;

a cathode layer having opposing first and second surfaces; and

an electrolyte layer chemically coupled to the first side of the anode layer and the first side of the cathode layer;

a first conductive layer abutting the second side of the anode layer; and

a second conductive layer abutting the second side of the cathode layer.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first ballistic protection layer comprises a rigid material.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first ballistic protection layer comprises a ceramic material.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first ballistic protection layer comprises a material that can include Alumina, Boron Carbide, Silicon Carbide, and/or Titanium Diboride.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer comprises a metal.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive layer comprises steel.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a second battery layer electrically coupled to the first battery layer, wherein the first ballistic protection layer is disposed between the first and second batteries.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises battery body armor.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises battery vehicle armor.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises battery exoskeleton armor.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises a battery armor tile configured to engage a further battery armor tile.

12. The system according to claim 1, further including a seal layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer.

13. A vehicle, comprising:

an electrical system including a power distribution module; and

battery vehicle armor including a battery coupled to the power distribution module, the battery vehicle armor comprising;

a first ballistic protection layer comprising a non-conductive material to provide ballistic protection; and

a second ballistic protection layer abutting the first ballistic protection layer, the second ballistic protection layer comprising;

a first battery layer including;

an anode layer having opposing first and second surfaces;

a cathode layer having opposing first and second surfaces; and

an electrolyte layer chemically coupled to the first side of the anode layer and the first side of the cathode layer;

a first conductive layer abutting the second side of the anode layer; and

a second conductive layer abutting the second side of the cathode layer.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the battery vehicle armor comprises tiles.

15. A method, comprising:

operating a vehicle having a power distribution module coupled to first and second electrical loads, a first battery, and battery vehicle armor having a battery layer; and

using power from the vehicle armor to power the first electrical load, wherein the battery vehicle armor, including the battery layer, provide ballistic protection for the vehicle.