Non-magnetic battery case Patent
Nonmagnetic hermetically sealed battery case made of epoxy resin and woven glass tape for use with electrochemical cells in spacecraft
Hennigan, T. J.↗
Engineering topics
Batteries & storage
Find NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI reports about batteries and energy storage. Search electrode materials, lithium-ion batteries and storage systems in indexed report metadata.
Battery Design and Safety
Power is essential for crewed and uncrewed spaceflight operations. Spacecraft batteries are designed and tested to be safe under extreme environmental conditions.
Melvin Abraham↗
Al/Cl2 molten salt battery
Molten salt battery has been developed with theoretical energy density of 5.2 j/kg (650 W-h/lb). Battery, which operates at 150 C, can be used in primary mode or as rechargeable battery. Battery has aluminum anode and chlorine cathode. Electrolyte is mixture of AlCl3, NaCl, and some alkali metal halide such as KCl.
Giner, J.↗
A battery simulator
Simulator verifies proper operation of a battery cell voltage-monitoring device. It also contains variable ac voltage to ascertain that a battery scanner will perform its function at all possible ac voltages.
Ferrell, S., Jr.↗
Nongassing NiCd battery cell
Method of constructing nickel cadmium batteries prevents excessive gas buildup and allows hermetic sealing of battery for increased service life and reduced maintenance cost.
Juvinall, G. L.↗
Aluminum chlorine battery
Rechargeable high energy density battery based on aluminum and chlorine carbon electrodes and molten aluminum chloride-alkali chloride eutectic as electrolyte
Giner, J.↗
Ionene membrane battery separator
Ionic transport characteristics of ionenes, insoluble membranes from soluble polyelectrolyte compositions, are studied for possible application in a battery separator. Effectiveness of the thin film of separator membrane essentially determines battery lifetime.
Moacanin, J.↗
Mars Pathfinder Battery Program Status
Sections of this discussion include: a mission overview of the Mars Pathfinder Project; battery requirements; Ag-Zn technology assessment; EM battery performance; and summary and conclusions.
Surampudi, S.↗
Control requirements for future battery systems
It is argued that sophisticated battery control systems are required to support the high power, high energy spacecraft secondary battery systems of the post 1985 time period. Four categories of battery control system functions are defined and discussed: battery operational control, auxiliary system control, battery system status indication and fault detection fault isolation. A concept for implementation of such a control system is also presented and discussed.
Masson, J. H.↗
GPS on-orbit battery performance
Three batteries designed for the GPS system were evaluated. The batteries were wired together, and during the eclipse period were discharged through parallel diodes into a boost converter which then boosted the battery voltage up to the totally regulated bus voltage. Each battery, with a system life of approximately five years, had its own charger. During testing the battery was maintained or used on trickle charge. Data are presented for the battery capacity during the reconditioning. Raw data for each eclipse period and calculations for the average discharge voltage for each battery are given. Thermal cycling for one of the batteries and reconditioning cycles and regimes for all of the batteries are discussed. A reconditioning discharge curve is also given. The problem of temperature cycling in one of the batteries was resolved by redesigning the battery radiator system.
Kasten, J. L.↗
Battery Cell Balancing System and Method
A battery cell balancing system is operable to utilize a relatively small number of transformers interconnected with a battery having a plurality of battery cells to selectively charge the battery cells. Windings of the transformers are simultaneously driven with a plurality of waveforms whereupon selected battery cells or groups of cells are selected and charged. A transformer drive circuit is operable to selectively vary the waveforms to thereby vary a weighted voltage associated with each of the battery cells.
Davies, Francis J.↗
Battery cell thermal-conductive coating increases efficiency
Thin coating of high-temperature epoxy resin provides necessary electrical insulation, as well as good thermal conductivity between battery cells. Insulation increases efficiency of nickel-cadmium battery, as it would any multicell battery assembly in which cell-to-cell thermal balance is critical.
Doyle, H. M.↗
Alkaline battery separator characterization studies Quarterly report, 28 Apr. - 28 Jul. 1969
Absorber evaluation of alkaline battery separator systems with electrolyte wetting and wicking measurement
Kelley, J. J.↗
Battery and Power Systems Designed by NASA
The engineering team in the Propulsion and Power Division designs, develops, tests and evaluates electric power and safe battery system solutions.
Martin Martinez↗
HST Replacement Battery Initial Performance
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) original Nickel-Hydrogen (NiH2) batteries were replaced during the Servicing Mission 4 (SM4) after 19 years and one month on orbit.The purpose of this presentation is to highlight the findings from the assessment of the initial sm4 replacement battery performance. The batteries are described, the 0 C capacity is reviewed, descriptions, charts and tables reviewing the State Of Charge (SOC) Performance, the Battery Voltage Performance, the battery impedance, the minimum voltage performance, the thermal performance, the battery current, and the battery system recharge ratio,
Krol, Stan↗
Orbiting Astronomical Observatory Battery and Power System Design
The battery design of OAO-C (OAO-3) is given and consists of three-20 ampere hour 22 series connected cells in the battery. There are three batteries per spacecraft. The packaging configuration is described. The charging-discharging operations and the voltage potential of the battery system are discussed. Graphs are presented for the voltage limits (battery voltage versus temperature) and end of dark voltages (battery voltage versus ampere-hours discharged) of the battery system used on OAO-3. Data tables are also presented which give a summary of the battery performance and a comparison of OAO-3 with OAO A-2.
F E Ford↗
Oversizing and Part-Load Problems
Oversizing, the common engineering practice of specifying devices with capacity exceeding the actual load requirement, is a widespread practice across virtually all building technologies end-use categories, including HVAC, electrical systems, lighting, appliances, and plug loads. This practice, driven by factors like design uncertainty, institutional pressures, and risk aversion, results in wasted capital investment, control difficulties, and excessive energy consumption due to inefficient part-load operation. Part-load operation, where devices run below maximum capacity, is the dominant operating mode in most energy systems and presents a complex design challenge. Solutions to match output to load fall into three broad categories: constraining the output, adjusting the device’s internal behavior, and linking output to energy storage or other waste-heat reuse applications. The energy implications of part-load are critical, as efficiency often drops sharply as load decreases across a wide diversity of devices. To quantify the extent of this problem, we derive a dimensionless Part-Load Metric (PLM) based on device efficiency and its frequency distribution of operating hours at various output levels. The PLM quantifies the deviation of a device's actual efficiency from its maximum design efficiency. This metric also serves as a measure of "capital inefficiency," enabling engineers to compare the impact of different part-load solutions and providing a unified framework for evaluating performance across various devices and systems.
Meier, Alan↗
EMU Ag-Zn battery wet-life extension test
The Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) silver/zinc (Ag/Zn) battery is an 11 cell battery of approximately 30 AH. The Ag/Zn battery is comprised of two 4-cell monoblocks and one 3-cell monoblock. A discussion of a wet-life extension test performed on the battery is given in viewgraph form.
Bragg, Bobby J.↗