Safety tests of lithium 9-volt batteries for Navy applications

COTS batteries are relatively inexpensive, readily accessible, and extremely versatile. These attributes allow the military to save time and money during the research and development stages. Of these COTS batteries, a 9-Volt (9 V) lithium/manganese dioxide battery is the subject of this paper. This 9 V battery has the ability to provide a low magnetic signature, which is very important to the Navy for many applications, Also, it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed at the unit level; however, these UL tests cannot be directly related to the safety of these 9 V batteries when they are combined in various series and parallel configurations. Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Carderock was tasked to rate the safety of several such specialized battery packs. It was found that packs consisting of two 9 V batteries in parallel were relatively safe, experiencing no violent behavior. Battery packs with six 9 Vs in parallel vented and deformed the 9 V batteries, but no smoke or flames were noticed. A battery pack with thirty 9 V batteries, 2 in series with 15 legs, experienced venting, smoke, and flames under certain circumstances, After testing, the six and thirty 9 V packs were required to include the addition of various safety devices     

Segmented battery charger for high energy 28 V lithium ion battery

Since they were first introduced in the early 1990s, lithium ion batteries have enjoyed unprecedented growth and success in the consumer marketplace. Combining excellent performance with affordability, they have become the product of choice for portable computers and cellular phones. Building on the same energy and life cycle attributes, which marked their consumer market success, but adding new high power storage capability, lithium ion technology is now poised to play a similar role in the transportation, military, and space sectors. With major program in various aspects of electric and hybrid electric vehicles, Saft has developed a family of battery products that address the power and energy storage where lightweight, long life, and excellent energy or power storage capabilities are needed. Significant progress in the packaging and control of high power, yet compact, batteries has been accomplished for a variety of vehicle applications. This paper discusses the charger and balancing strategies of one of this family of products     

Advanced lithium ion battery charger

A lithium ion battery charger has been developed for four and eight cell batteries or multiples thereof. This charger has the advantage over those using commercial lithium ion charging chips in that the individual cells are allowed to be taper charged at their upper charging voltage rather than be cutoff when all cells of the string have reached the upper charging voltage limit. Since 30-60% of the capacity of lithium ion cells may be restored during the taper charge, this charger has a distinct benefit of fully charging lithium ion batteries by restoring all of the available capacity to all of its cells     

U.S. Army battery needs-present and future

The purpose of this paper is to describe the needs of the U.S. Army for silent portable power sources, both in the near and longer term future. As a means of doing this, the programs of the Power Sources Division of the Army Research Laboratory are discussed. In carrying out these programs, the personnel of the Power Sources Division work closely with the Battery Management Office of the Army Materiel Command, which is located in the Logistics and Readiness Directorate of the Communication-Electronics Command (CECOM). We are also closely integrated with the Army Research Office, and the fuel cell personnel of the CECOM Research Development and Engineering Center (RDEC), and the battery personnel of the RDECs for the Tank and Automotive Command and the Missile Command. The six program areas discussed in which the Power Sources Division is engaged are: primary batteries, rechargeable batteries, reserve/fuze batteries, pulse batteries and capacitors, fuel cells, and thermophotovoltaic power generation     

Advanced lithium ion solid polymer electrolyte battery development

Lockheed Martin Missiles & Space (LMMS), Ultralife Batteries, Inc. (UBI), Eagle Picher Technologies, LLC (EPT), Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and Rentech, Inc. (RTI) are developing lithium ion solid polymer electrolyte (Li-ion SPE) batteries. Under a new Advanced Technology Program (ATP), this team will develop new high-energy density cells and batteries for space and portable electronics applications. These new batteries will utilize new high-energy density anode and cathode active materials developed by SNL and RTI. UBI will incorporate these new materials into an optimized Li-ion SPE electrode laminate. EPT will develop batteries for aerospace applications based on this electrode laminate technology while LMMS will design the battery charge management controller and provide system expertise     

Portable power source needs of the future Army-batteries and fuelcells

This paper describes the US Army's future needs for silent portable power in the area of batteries and fuel cells. These needs will continue to increase as a result of the introduction of newer types of equipment, the increasing digitization of the battlefield, and future integrated Soldier Systems. Current battery programs are aimed at improved, low-cost primary batteries, and rechargeable batteries with increased energy densities. The Army fuel cell program aimed at portable systems capable of the order of 150 W is also described     

Field evaluation of Honda's EV PLUS battery packs

The EV PLUS demonstration program provides an opportunity to evaluate battery life while gaining expertise in managing Ni-MH battery technology under real-world conditions. Since individual customers use the vehicles, Honda developed a battery service and evaluation system convenient to customers, yet not burdensome to dealer service. This paper discusses the method of detection of low battery capacity, the technique used to convey this information to users, the bench evaluation system of returned batteries, and explains how the analysis is utilized to enhance the EV PLUS' battery control strategy.     

Remaining useful life prediction of aircraft lithium-ion batteries based on F-distribution particle filter and kernel smoothing algorithm

As an emergency and auxiliary power source for aircraft, lithium (Li)-ion batteries are important components of aerospace power systems. The Remaining Useful Life (RUL) prediction of Li-ion batteries is a key technology to ensure the reliable operation of aviation power systems. Particle Filter (PF) is an effective method to predict the RUL of Li-ion batteries because of its uncertainty representation and management ability. However, there are problems that particle weights cannot be updated in the prediction stage and particles degradation. To settle these issues, an innovative technique of F-distribution PF and Kernel Smoothing (FPFKS) algorithm is proposed. In the prediction stage, the weights of the particles are dynamically updated by the F kernel instead of being fixed all the time. Meanwhile, a first-order independent Markov capacity degradation model is established. Moreover, the kernel smoothing algorithm is integrated into PF, so that the variance of the parameters of capacity degradation model keeps invariant. Experiments based on NASA battery data sets show that FPFKS can be excellently applied to RUL prediction of Li-ion batteries.     

Fast equalization for large lithium ion batteries

Slight differences between the series connected cells in a lithium ion (Lilon) battery pack can produce imbalances in the cell voltages, and this greatly reduces the charge capacity. These batteries cannot be trickle-charged like a lead acid battery since this would slightly overcharge some cells and may cause these cells to ignite. Therefore, an electronic equalizer (EQU) should be used to balance the cell voltages individually. The targeted EQU described herein can be connected to any cell via a set of sealed relays to provide much faster equalization and higher efficiency than previous methods.     

A maintenance-free lead acid battery for inertial navigationsystems aircraft

Historically, aircraft inertial navigation system (INS) batteries have utilized vented nickel-cadmium batteries for emergency DC power. The United States Navy and Air Force developed separate systems during their respective INS developments. The Navy contracted with Litton industries to produce the LTN-72 and Air Force contracted with Delco to produce the Carousel IV INS for the large cargo and specialty aircraft applications, over the years, a total of eight different battery national stock numbers (NSNs) have entered the stock system along with 75 battery spare part NSNs. The standard hardware acquisition and reliability program is working with the Aircraft Battery Group at Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division, Naval Air Systems Command (AIR 536), Wright Laboratory, Battelle Memorial Institute, and Concorde Battery Corporation to produce a standard INS battery. This paper discusses the approach taken to determine whether the battery should be replaced and to select the replacement chemistry. The paper also discusses the battery requirements, aircraft that the battery is compatible with, and status of Navy flight evaluation. Projected savings in avoided maintenance in Navy and Air Force INS systems is projected to be $14.7 million per year with a manpower reduction of 153 maintenance personnel. The new INS battery is compatible with commercially sold INS systems which represents 66% of the systems sold     

Industrial battery technologies and markets

Industrial battery market segments generally fall into two major categories--traction batteries, also called motive power batteries; and stationary batteries, also referred to as standby power batteries. The major industrial battery subcategories are discussed. Industrial trucks and rail and mine vehicles represent two major subcategories of motive power batteries. Industrial trucks include forklifts, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), various types of towing vehicles, floor cleaning equipment and so forth. Battery-powered rail and mine vehicles are used in mines where gas is present that could be ignited by spark ignition engines. Locomotive starting batteries and railcar emergency power batteries are also included in the second subcategory. The distinction is beginning to blur between valve-regulated industrial batteries and golf cart or marine batteries. Both industrial and SLI(starting/lighting/ignition)-derivative batteries are competing for markets in the future. The future trends in industrial battery production in Japan, USA and Europe are discussed     

Performance characteristics of lithium-ion cells for NASA's Mars2001 Lander application

NASA requires lightweight rechargeable batteries for future missions to Mars and the outer planets that are capable of operating over a wide range of temperatures, with high specific energy and energy densities. Due to the attractive performance characteristics, lithium-ion batteries have been identified as the battery chemistry of choice for a number of future applications, including Mars rovers and landers. The Mars 2001 Lander (Mars Surveyor Program MSP 01) will be one of the first missions which will utilize lithium-ion technology. This application will require two lithium-ion batteries, each being 28 V (eight cells), 25 Ah and 8 kg. In addition to the requirement of being able to supply at least 200 cycles and 90 days of operation on the surface of Mars, the battery must be capable of operation (both charge and discharge) at temperatures as low as -20°C. To assess the viability of lithium-ion cells for these applications, a number of performance characterization tests have been performed, including: assessing the room temperature cycle life, low temperature cycle life (-20°C), rate capability as a function of temperature, pulse capability, self-discharge and storage characteristics, as well as mission profile capability. This paper describes the Mars 2001 Lander mission battery requirements and contains results of the cell testing conducted to-date in support of the mission,     

The FAA's new lithium battery technical standard misses the mark

For the first time in seventeen years, there is to be a new lithium battery standard for aviation. In 1990, the Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) struck a committee to write a new standard to cover the variety of lithium batteries that would find use in aircraft equipment. In June 1995, the RTCA published its MOPS for Lithium Batteries, RTCA Document No. RTCAiDO-227. The FAA will adopt the MOPS as the new TSO at the completion of the sixty-day response period after publication in the Federal Register. It would then become the new standard in the US. It would almost certainly be adopted here in Canada, and affect civil aviation worldwide. Some possible problems with the standard are discussed     

电池条形码综合管理系统设计与开发

从目前小型二次电池生产和应用的现状出发,结合条形码管理的实际特点,介绍了一种新型的电池条形码综合管理系统.系统通过在电池生产过程中引入条形码管理技术,便于电池生产厂家控制生产过程中电池质量、电池Pack厂在组装电池组时提取过程数据及电池流入市场后问题电池的追踪.详细介绍了系统的软硬件结构设计及系统特点,并对系统发展提出展望.     

Power sources and portable computers

The safety aspects of the nickel-metal-hydride and high-capacity nickel-cadmium batteries used in Apple Computer's current notebook computers are discussed. No problems are anticipated with nickel-cadmium packs, which have an excellent record for safety because the cell design parameters are well understood and there is ample safety margin under abusive conditions. At its early stage of development, the nickel-metal-hydride cell is not as electrochemically robust as the nickel-cadmium, and it does not have as wide an operational temperature range. The possible hydrogen release from nickel-metal-hydride batteries on charging at low temperatures can also be a potential explosion hazard. Nickel-metal-hydride is considered less environmentally harmful than nickel-cadmium and has escaped legislated recycling requirements     

Electric-vehicle batteries

Electric vehicles that can't reach trolley wires need batteries. In the early 1900's electric cars disappeared when owners found that replacing the car's worn-out lead-acid battery costs more than a new gasoline-powered car. Most of today's electric cars are still propelled by lead-acid batteries. General Motors in their prototype Impact, for example, used starting-lighting-ignition batteries, which deliver lots of power for demonstrations, but have a life of less than 100 deep discharges. Now promising alternative technology has challenged the world-wide lead miners, refiners, and battery makers into forming a consortium that sponsors research into making better lead-acid batteries. Horizon's new bipolar battery delivered 50 watt-hours per kg (Wh/kg), compared with 20 for ordinary transport-vehicle batteries. The alternatives are delivering from 80 Wh/kg (nickel-metal hydride) up to 200 Wh/kg (zinc-bromine). A Fiat Panda traveled 260 km on a single charge of its zinc-bromine battery. A German 3.5-ton postal truck traveled 300 km with a single charge in its 650-kg (146 Wh/kg) zinc-air battery. Its top speed was 110 km per hour     

航空锂电池适航审定规章解读及符合性方法研究

锂离子电池作为动力电池有着优异的性能,在民航行业上有广阔的应用前景。但行业对其技术特征 和安全风险的认识还不充分,现行的规章条款缺乏足够的安全要求,国外局方针对锂离子电池颁发了专用条 件,但回顾相关事故可以发现,锂离子电池的验证和审查环节还不完善,相关条款更新修正的步伐也同锂电池 的发展现状和技术水平不相适应。以航空锂电池事故为例,分析航空锂离子电池作为动力电池的安全性风险, 从对现有规章条款和专用条件的解读出发,借鉴不同行业近年来积累的锂电池验证和使用经验,针对航空动力 锂电池的适航符合性方法提出一些改进方案,可作为现有锂电池适航符合性方法的有益补充,为自主建立健全 适航验证规范体系做出探索。     

Electric car progress

Our global temperature's rise is caused by our atmosphere's ever-increasing content of carbon-dioxide, most of which comes from the exhaust of transportation vehicles. This has resulted in a worldwide search for alternatives to the high-powered gasoline fueled automobiles in wide use today. Replacing gasoline-powered cars with electric and hybrid-electric vehicles has become the most popular tool for reducing carbon-dioxide emissions into our atmosphere. Evaluation of electric alternatives to gasoline-engine propulsion of cars covers such topics as the efficiency, weight, and lifetime of fuel cells, and increasing the charge/discharge life of the new lightweight lithium and nickel metal-hydride batteries. A summary of the work currently being carried out on battery and hybrid vehicles is included here     

High reliability lithium rechargeable batteries for specialties

Since their development in the late 1980s, lithium rechargeable batteries have enjoyed rapid growth and wide use as a commodity battery known for its higher energy density storage and lightweight convenience. These same attributes are emerging as a strong platform in power source development for the medical and aerospace sectors with highly customized applications and narrowly defined criteria. Accordingly, this new generation of lithium rechargeables must be hermetically sealed, have long-term storage capability, and zero-fault tolerances for common causes of field failures such as electrolyte leakage or short circuits from mechanical deformation. Quallion has been developing and manufacturing highly reliable lithium rechargeable cells for medical, aerospace, and specialty applications. Summarized in this paper are some key technologies developed at Quallion for designing and manufacturing of this new class of lithium rechargeable batteries. They include: 1) leakage reliability; 2) self-extinguishing electrolyte system; 3) mechanical impact resistance; 4) deep discharge storage; and 5) high reliability manufacturing.     

The Hy-StorTM battery

The Hy-Stor^TM Battery is a rechargeable battery being developed for electric vehicles and other large battery applications. The battery combines the high energy storage capability of metal hydride alloys with the high cycle life and discharge rate capabilities of nickel-hydrogen cells. It is a hybrid battery concept that offers potential performance, economic and safety advantages over other large battery technologies. Very recent developments indicate that much smaller batteries can also be produced to meet the needs of the portable computer and other portable electronic device markets. Initial tests demonstrated the ability of a metal hydride storage system to achieve high cycle life when absorbing hydrogen that was saturated with battery electrolyte solution and then passed through a purifier. Based on positive test results, a patent for the Hy-Stor battery was applied for and granted