Improved pulse power sources with high-energy density capacitor

The authors report on work done to demonstrate a concept that provides a nonnuclear space power system to be used on SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) weapons platforms. The characteristics of a proposed high-power pulse energy system, formed by combining a recently developed high-energy density capacitor with various batteries, were investigated. The main advantages of the system thus far appear to be high power and pulse energy density and flexibility in energy outputs. Parametric relationships between most key design variables, such as average pulse power, system output voltages, load impedance, pulse width, pulse frequency, duty cycle and battery voltage and current limits, were established. Projections of the system´s weights in large-scale applications suggested that the lithium/SO₂ battery considered might be too heavy when high duty cycles were required. However, significant weight reductions could be foreseen with proper selection of the battery and further advances in the capacitor technology