N221-022 TITLE: Compact Thermal Energy Storage

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: General Warfighting Requirements (GWR);Hypersonics

TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Weapons

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

OBJECTIVE: Develop a compact thermal energy storage device.

DESCRIPTION: The latest version of the Department of Defense's Anti-Radiation Homing Missile (AARGM-ER) must store the thermal energy generated by its electronics on board during its mission. The current energy storage device concept utilizes wax in an aluminum container. This concept consumes a lot of space within the guidance section and the control section of the missile. The current Thermal Protection System in the Guidance Section requires 267 in.� (4350 cm�) and in the Control Section requires 119 in.� (1950 cm�). The Navy requires that the space consumed by these devices be reduced by no less than one half. These devices are configured to surround the electronics packages and may require an asymmetric shape. Prior to captive carry the device will be at 71�C due to potential worst case storage condition and experience a temperature rise up to 76�C. The devices together must be able to absorb a constant 156 Btu/min while maintaining an electronic package's temperature at no more than 85 �C, with an initial starting temperature of 76 �C (captive carry end temperature). Thermal absorption performance will be evaluated for durations of 5, 15, and 30 minutes. The devices must be reusable and rapidly regenerated within 1 hour after absorbing energy during captive carriage of the missile with temperature conditions decreasing from 76�C to 71�C. The combined weight of the devices cannot exceed 21.75 lb. (9.86 kg). Further the device shall provide secondary structure to support approximately 4-5 Circuit Card Assemblies (CCA) with associated cabling. It is desired that the devices require no consumables, and do not require preventative maintenance. The Navy is looking for a unique and innovative approach to reduce the size of the current energy storage device in the guidance and control sections while maintaining the identified temperature and weight parameters. Analysis and/or modeling are approaches that may be used to validate the ability of this unique/innovative approach to achieve the size reduction while maintaining the temperature and weight parameters.

Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by DoD 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVAIR in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material IAW DoD 5220.22-M during the advanced phases of this contract.

PHASE I: Develop, design, and demonstrate the feasibility, through analysis and/or modeling, of a device to absorb the required thermal energy within the required size. For additional information please refer to MIL-STD-810 for fighter aircraft environments. The Phase I effort will include prototype plans to be developed under Phase II.

PHASE II: Design, test and demonstrate a device that will work within a missile guidance and control type structure, environment, and mission profile.

Work in Phase II may become classified. Please see note in Description paragraph.

PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Design and demonstrate a device that will work within a missile guidance and control type structure, environment, mission profile and different asymmetric designs while adapting and accommodating different electronic packages. Transition the technology to applicable naval platforms.

The technology could be used within any electronic enclosure exposed or generating high temperatures to reduce its thermal footprint.

REFERENCES:

1. Greene, E. E. (2013, July 29). Thermal protection and control [Internship Final Report, University of Nebraska-Lincoln]. https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20140002341/downloads/20140002341.pdf.
2. Marongiu, M. (2019, March 6). Thermal management of electronic equipment using phase change materials (PCMs). Electronics COOLING. https://www.electronics-cooling.com/2019/03/thermal-management-of-electronic-equipment-using-phase-change-materials-pcms/.
3. Wang, Y., Gao, X., Chen, P., Huang, Z., Xu, T., Fang, Y., & Zhang, Z. (2016, March). Preparation and thermal performance of paraffin/Nano-SiO2 nanocomposite for passive thermal protection of electronic devices, 96, 699-707. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.11.106.

KEYWORDS: Thermal management; Reduced Footprint; No preventative maintenance; Missile; Thermal Energy; Thermal Protection