Lithium ion (Li-Ion) batteries provide a practical solution since they have high energy density and are capable of providing the very high discharge rates required at high efficiency. Instead of utilizing a large monolithic battery, a distributed battery approach consisting of a number (e.g., 23) of identical battery modules provides many advantages, including flexibility in packaging on the platform, as well as growth potential for higher power lasers by adding more modules.

Each energy storage module must typically provide 10 kW of power to its associated fiber laser module. Even though lithium ion chemistry has the highest efficiency, each module will dissipate about 800 watts during laser activation, requiring a practical thermal management solution. The cell temperature cannot exceed 80° C. to prevent the over-temperature protection electronics from disconnecting the load to ensure safe operation.

Safety is an important consideration for a high energy battery to be installed on an aircraft, ship, or land vehicle. Although thermal runaway of a lithium ion cell is improbable due to redundant protective circuits included in the Battery Management System, the cells utilize an intumescent material structure to prevent cell failure propagation to adjacent cells. Additionally, appropriate venting is provided to direct and channel hot gases out of the module and platform in case of a cell energetic event.

Accordingly, it is an object of an embodiment of the invention to provide a large scale battery system that meets weight, size and safety requirements for use on an aircraft, ship or other platform.

It is a further object to provide a battery module capable of delivering on the order of 10 kW for a duration of 1 to 60 seconds.