Reserve power source for munitions
A method for producing electrical energy in a munition includes; initiating a thermal battery contained within the munition to generate electrical energy; dumping the electrical energy generated by the thermal battery into an electrical energy storage device before the thermal battery becomes inactive; and using the stored electrical energy in the electrical energy storage device over a period of time. The initiation device can be an inertial igniter, the electrical energy storage device can be a capacitor and the thermal battery, initiation device and electrical energy storage device can be configured such that the initiation device and electrical energy storage device sandwich the thermal battery.
1. A battery consisting of:
a battery casing having a hermetically sealed interior and an exterior; and
electrical terminals extending from the exterior of the battery casing;
wherein the hermetically sealed interior of the battery casing contains:
a thermal battery for generating electrical energy upon initiation;
an initiation device for initiating the electrical energy; and
an electrical energy storage device for storing electrical energy generated by the thermal battery before the thermal battery becomes inactive.
2. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the initiation device is an inertial igniter.
3. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrical energy storage device is a capacitor.
4. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the thermal battery, initiation device and electrical energy storage device are configured such that the initiation device and electrical energy storage device sandwich the thermal battery.