Advanced Maintenance Free Aircraft Battery System (AMFABS)
Abstract
Vented nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries are used in most main aircraft battery applications. To keep the batteries fully charged and at their rated capacity, they require a topping charge or overcharge. This overcharge process results in conversion of water into gaseous oxygen and hydrogen. Over several charge and discharge cycles, these gasses escape from the cell vent caps, resulting in water usage and forcing a maintenance action to keep the battery in a healthy state. This maintenance, which requires special facilities and training, drives up the life cycle costs of vented battery systems. Over the past few years, there have been several initiatives to reduce the operating costs of aircraft batteries. In particular, the United States Air Force (USAF) is involved in the development of maintenance free battery systems. There are two general approaches to reduce the maintenance cost of batteries. One approach is to develop a disposable battery system, such that after some interval the battery is simply replaced. The other approach is to develop a battery system that will function properly without maintenance for an extended period. The subject of this report is a system that does not require any scheduled maintenance for the design life of the aircraft. This approach is currently used in spacecraft applications where battery maintenance is not practical.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA391717
Entities
People
- Jeff Green