Portable Electrical Power Supply for Aeromedical Evacuation (PEPSAE) (Air Force)
Abstract
Critical Care Air Transport Teams (CCATT), as a part of the Aeromedical Evacuation (AE) system, operate in USAF aircraft that require a large, cumbersome avionics frequency converter (~80 pounds) and electrical extension cord system (~64 pounds) in order to provide power from the aircraft to medical equipment during patient transport. Patients are “tethered” to the aircraft power system with no simple method for patient transfer. Internal batteries within medical equipment also do not have enough energy to provide power alone for sustainment requirements in both transport and transfer processes. The objective of the PEPSAE project is to develop a dependable alternative (hydrogen fuel cell technology) for portable power, thereby decoupling the patient from the aircraft, and enabling extended use of medical equipment during CCATT missions. The lead Service is Air Force. The primary outputs and efficiencies to be demonstrated are (1) the incorporation of a multi-functional power manager which will provide fully regulated direct current (DC) power for use by CCATT equipment and the powering of other applications as required; (2) the provision of alternating current (AC) inputs, allowing CCATT to operate equipment from grid power when available and make uninterrupted transition to hydrogen power when the grid power is no longer available; (3) the incorporation of a full-power rechargeable battery backup for up to 15 minutes; (4) hydrogen safely stored in the form of a stable metal hydride; and (5) the realization of its portability, virtually no weight increase, and reduced logistics footprint.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2011
- Source ID
- 1992b786e8746ec2aec80bc814f143e2