High Performance Storage Battery on Board of Unmanned Untethered Submersible Vehicles

Abstract

An increasing number of shallow or deep sea vehicle projects have come up over the recent years in many nations. Beside major progress already achieved in various fields, such as high performance materials (carbone fibers, steel and titanium), computerized robotics, positioning and communication systems, or other technologies, the storage of energy on board these units has remained a problem for engineers when considering the energy demands, both for propulsion and equipments to be powered. Recent major improvements in the electrical battery industry have been carried out for advanced applications, where high specific energies (mass, and volume), power, life duration and reliability are required. Drawn from these new concepts, special studies and tests have been achieved to fully adapt those batteries to the marine environment This paper summarizes the state of the art for the existing battery systems, scanning over all major parameters to be taken into account in this very particular field of application. The conclusion indicates the new possibilities offered by this advanced battery system, allowing to overcome the existing limits.